Montellassi IL CANNETO 2011

Winemaker/Director of Eonology: Marco Stefanini 
Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany, Italy

One of those lucky finds, when for $8 you get a perfect Sangiovese to accompany your tortellini dinner.

IL CANNETO is made from a blend of various clones of Sangiovese, cultivated on the hills of Maremma. The hot and dry climate in the province of Grosseto, with a very low rainfall, results in limited yield. Therefore the Sangiovese here has the premium concentration of flavors and color.

The wine aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of the fruit.

The Montellassi winery makes a number of wines, red, white and rose – and I am looking forward to grab some other bottles of their portfolio the next time.

Tasting notes:

Bright, ruby color and fresh aroma of dark cherries. On the palate, this is medium body red with lively fruit, bright flavors. I like the fact that the wine has enough weight on its own to accommodate even heavier meals, although it’s not supported with oak.  An excellent value!!! I will definitely go back for more!

Aia Vecchia LAGONE 2007

Owners: Filippo and Alessandro Pellegrini 
Winemaker: Nicola Scottini
Grape: Merlot 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Cabernet Franc 5%.
Region: Tuscany, Italy

When I was on the road selling wines, it sometimes happened that I would come across a real steal, and present it to all my favorite customers (the wine store owners).

They loved the wine, or the idea behind it – but not all of them were then capable of passing that enthusiasm on their own customers. Or, they simply forgot about that particular wine, because somebody else showed them something else.

Maybe I should feel sad when walking to my former customer’s store just to find out that some wine, I sold them 3 years ago, still sits there. Or, at least part of the case. But instead of feeling sad, it’s just the opposite. Especially when it comes to treasures that are already sold out on the market, and the wine store (and therefore his customers) doesn’t have the clue what they sit on.

That’s how I found some rare vintages of wines that I loved and got the oportunity to buy them. Like buying your own staff back (but it really wasn’t my staff to begin with). And that’s where I recently discovered last 2 bottles of 2007 Aia Vecchia LAGONE. A beautiful wine, super Tuscan, that is truly a steal for the price!

Aia Vecchia is the name of an old building (where the company resides), located deep in the Tuscany countryside between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. This is a place with perfect soil, sunlight exposure, elevation –  all those elements that, when combined, allow to grow a high quality fruit.

Family Pellegrini, who grows grapes n the area for several generations, owns 69 hectares of the land here. 48 hectares out of it are planted with vines (and most of it belongs under the Bolgheri DOC).

The blend of LAGONE was aged in various types of barriques for at least 12 months and  refined in bottle for an additional 6 months.

Tasting notes:

When I opened this ruby colored wine, and sniffed it the first thing that came to my mind was: pretty and clean. It may sound weird, like I expect the wine to be dirty but that’s not it. This wine is clean of any elements that may interfere with it. Oak, spice… all you smell is true wine.

On the palate it displayed a youthful fruit reminding me of wild berries. Medium body offers plenty of slightly spiced flavor, great acidity – and I must say it again,  nothing disturbs the beautiful fines. Velvety, elegant, perfect match to large scale of food. Finish is pleasantly long. Bordeaux blend as a super Tuscan, without any Sangiovese present? Yes, yes and yes. If you come across some, buy it. It’s worth it!

Excellent job, and even more, affordable to anybody who will appreciate it!

Dry – Off dry- Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: around $16.00

Suggested food pairing:

Argentiera Poggio Ai Ginepri 2007

Grape: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Merlot.
Region: Bolgheri DOC Tuscany, Italy

Poggio ai Ginepri means “little hill of junipers” and refers to the juniper bushes around the Argentiera property. The Argentiera estate is part of former Tenuta di Donoratico estate, owned by the Serristori, very influential Florentine family, who were given permanent use of this land by the Medici family back in 1512.The records shows that there were silver mines (“argento” is Italian for silver) in far history on this property, therefore its current owners – brothers Corrado and Marcello Fratini named their Tenuta Argentiera.

This estate has a very unique position – it is both closest to the sea and the highest in altitude, stretching from the plains up to the hills. The spectacular view from the vineyards extends from Baratti in the south to Castiglioncello in the north, incl. the islands of the Tuscan archipelago (Elba, Corgona and Capraia, with Corsica in the background).

Not only it is well suited for the production of great red wines, it is also considered to be among the most beautiful areas in Italy.

After de-stemming and soft crushing the different grape varieties were vinified separately. Fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel vats for 15-20 days at controlled temperature. Part of the wine was then transferred into French and Hungarian oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation was completed and the wine was aged for 8 months. The other 50% of the wine remained in stainless steel tanks for the fining and was then blended before the final bottling.

Tasting notes:
Deep ruby red color is coating the glass. Lovely earthy aroma so typical for Italian reds, with red plums, herbs and spice. Slight aroma of eucalyptus reminded me of some southern Australian Cabernet wines. Generous tannins are soft and round. I was very impressed with this atypical wine – which didn’t use the typical Tuscan’s variety Sangiovese at all. It is approachable right now, but it will also improve with a few years in the bottle.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: around $ 26.00

Ideal food pairing:
Stewed meats, game, pork roasts, grilled meat, beef, steaks….

 

Badia a Coltibuono Cetamura Chianti 2008

 

Winemaker: Maurizio Castelli
Grape: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Caniaolo
Region: Tuscany, Italy

See other wines from this producer:
Coltibuono Sangiovese Cancelli
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Stucchi

This beautiful estate got its name (means “Abbey of the good harvest”) thanks to a very historic heritage. It is at least 1000 years old and the monks of Coltibuono, The Vallombrosan, may have been the first to cultivate Sangiovese grape in Tuscany.The monastery was active in agriculture from 1000 to around 1800, when Napoleon confiscated most of church properties in Tuscany. Some he gave away as political favors or to his friends, some he sold. When Stucchi family purchased it in 1841, they were only 3rd owner of the original estate.

Emanuela Stucchi, who runs it today with her siblings, are the 7th generation stewards of the property. Their biggest goal is to nurture the land (most of their vineyards are organic, all of them are sustainably farmed) and make the best expression of Sangiovese and the unique terroire of Chianti Classico.

The grapes for Cetamura were sourced from selected Sangiovese vineyards, located in the best Tuscany areas. Grapes were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks and than aged for a brief period of time in the bottle before its release. The family strive was to make young, fresh wine that reflects the high quality of Sangiovese grape in this region.

Tasting notes:
Vibrant ruby red color with a beautiful aroma of cherry and red fruit with an earthy tones. On the palate surprisingly full body for the wine that didn’t see the oak, very smooth and pleasant. Impressive expression of fruit and well balanced with the acidity. This could be very well the best Chianti in this price range. Long finish is an extra bonus (usually reserved for much more expensive wines). Wonderful home wine that wouldn’t brake your valet.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: around $ 9.00

Ideal food pairing:
Antipasto, My traditional lasagna, Vermicelli con melanzana, Beef Bourguignon, Philly cheesesteak Panini, Roasted salmon with creamy spinach

Coltibuono Sangiovese Cancelli 2006

Winemaker: Maurizio Castelli, cellar master: Giampaolo Saccocci
Grapes: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Syrah
Region: Tuscany, Italy

See other wines from this producer:
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Stucchi
Coltibuono Cetamura Chianti

This beautiful estate got its name (means “Abbey of the good harvest”) thanks to a very historic heritage. It is at least 1000 years old and the monks of Coltibuono, The Vallombrosan, may have been the first to cultivate Sangiovese grape in Tuscany.

The monastery was active in agriculture from 1000 to around 1800, when Napoleon confiscated most of church properties in Tuscany. Some he gave away as political favors or to his friends, some he sold. When Stucchi family purchased it in 1841, there were only 3rd owner of the original estate.

Emanuela Stucchi, who runs it today with her siblings, is the 7th generation owner of the property. Their biggest goal is to nurture the land (most of their vineyards are organic, all of them are sustainably farmed) and make the best expression of Sangiovese and the unique terroire of Chianti Classico.

The grapes for “Cancelli” Rosso di Toscana were sourced from different vineyards. Wine was fermented in stainless steel to protect the youthfulness and freshness.

Tasting notes:
Purple-red color with rich aroma of cherries, spices and wild flowers. Cancelli opens up on the palate into mellow and slightly spicy flavors of red berries and cherries. Great balance of acidity. Even without the support of oak the wine stands firmly on its own.

Very satisfying long finish. Best to drink when young, but has potential to improve when kept for couple of years. No wonder it was repeatedly awarded as a terrific value or best buy by prestigious wine magazines.

This vintage was selected as Best value by both WS and WA

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 10.00 !!

Ideal food pairing:
Great match to any Italian dishes or tomato based sauces, Vermicelli con Melanzana, Ratatouille, My traditional lasagna and many more