Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying this lovely red wine that was included in the Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio wooden gift box last October, tonight's red wine review is this lovely Riserva Chianti Classico arrives solo at the LCBO as the Wine of the Month in the upcoming April 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. The project came about because the 1960s were difficult years in the winegrowing region of Chianti. To help the region weather the economic and technical crisis, Sir Gualtiero Armando Nunzi managed to bring together winegrowers from the different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico. Together, they had a shared intention to safeguard the land, and maintain the age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still pass along today from one generation to the next.

Today, the modern Castelli del Grevepesa is the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers. With passion and hard work, they produce fine quality wines that are accessible to everyone, and recognised and valued across the world. Most of the winegrowers are situated in the areas of Greve in Chianti, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, and Barberino Val d’Elsa and some of the most famous Chianti Classico regions such as Panzano, Lamole, Campoli, and Bibbione. The iris flower is the symbol the company, a perennial flower that represents the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions.

While Castelli del Grevepesa has several ranges of wines, this particular red wine is from their Clemente VII range that celebrates a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - Giulio de' Medici. He became Pope Clemente VII in 1523 and lived in Campoli, within the Chianti Classico area where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today.

This Riserva Chianti Classico is crafted with 100% Sangiovese that was grown at 200 metres above sea level with west-southwest exposure to the sun. The grapes were hand harvested with individual bunch selection and fermented at a controlled temperature of 28°C, with 15 days of maceration with skins. Half of the wine was aged Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months, while the other half was aged in barriques for 12 months. It was then blended and further refined in bottle for at least 3 months. Let's see how this Riserva Chianti Classico made with Sangiovese is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#643205) (XD) - $24.95
100% Sangiovese. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is sweetly red fruited and sweet vanillin oak spiced, with aromas of lightly desiccated red cherry, rose floral, clove, cinnamon spice, vanilla, and earthy undertones adding interest. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins that have some pleasant grip. It has delicious red cherry, clove, savoury wet earth, forest floor flavours in a dry flavour profile. Savoury earthy and vanillin with touches of red cherry, clove, and rose floral notes linger on the long, well-balanced finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

This label's Annata Chianti Classico is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.