Clemente VII Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Gran Selezione Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO yesterday in the March 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico I enjoyed last month, this red wine is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that has a history which is deeply intertwined with the rich winemaking heritage of the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany, Italy.

Castelli del Grevepesa was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of seventeen winegrowers as one of Italy's first co-operative wineries. Together, they recognized the potential of pooling their resources and generations of know-how to produce wine collectively. By coming together, the group of small-scale growers were able to safeguard and maintain the age-old tradition of Tuscany winegrowing. In the co-operative model, individual vineyard growers maintain their own autonomy in the vineyard, while benefiting from shared facilities, including equipment, and sharing knowledge.

Over the years, Castelli del Grevepesa experienced steady growth to become Chianti Classico's largest family today, with over 120 associate growers. Situated in the heart of Chianti Classico, they use modern and innovative winemaking techniques and technologies to improve the quality and achieve greater efficiency when producing their wines. Castelli del Grevepesa is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that represent the essence of the Chianti Classico wine region, while also upholding the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship to preserve the land for future generations. With a great passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

This red wine is from Grevepesa's Clemente VII range, which celebrates a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - Giulio de' Medici - who became Pope Clemente VII in the year 1523. Giulio lived in Campoli, within the Chianti Classico region where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today.

Gran Selezione is a relatively new type of Chianti Classico. It was introduced in 2014 and is at the top of the qualitative pyramid of the Chianti Classico denomination. Crafted with 100% Sangiovese, this red wine was grown in Grevepesa's vineyards in Campoli, within the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the Chianti Classico appellation of Tuscany. The vines where this Sangiovese was grown are planted on hills rising up from the alluvial plateau with geological formations of Sillano and Alberese stones. Trained using the Guyot, spurred cordon vine training system, the vines now average 20 to 30 years old. The grapes were harvested from the end of September to the beginning of October by hand, only selecting the best grapes. To vinify this wine, the grapes were gently crushed, fermented in stainless steel tanks with maceration on the skins for 15 days at a thermostatically controlled temperature of a maximum of 28°C. It underwent malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by ageing in Slavonian oak cask for 24 months, and at least another 6 months in bottle for further refining.

While it is difficult to generalize the growing season in Chianti Classico, 2019 was comparatively easier than the two prior years as it was much drier with no humidity, but avoided drought and heat spikes. The productive vintage resulted in both high quantity and quality, as well as a later harvest into October that is very good for the late-ripening Sangiovese grape varietal. Overall, 2019 is an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CLEMENTE VII GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#573493) (XD) - $35.95
100% Sangiovese. Elegantly refined, open, and pretty aromatics of pure red cherry, sweet spices, cinnamon, and rose floral notes with a hint of orange layered savoury forest floor aromas. On the chewy, medium-full bodied palate it delivers spicy, savoury earth, dark red cherry, forest herbs, and chocolate flavours. It has very good, juicy, well-balanced, and lightly tangy acidity, while the tannins are smooth and refined, with good structure. Savoury, earthy, and chocolate notes linger on the long, classy finish. Should drink nicely over the next 6-8 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available not only at the LCBO, but also through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent February 17th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. Situated in Greve in Chianti, the co-operative model allowed small growers to pool their resources to collectively make wines. Castelli del Grevepesa was one of Italy's first co-operative wineries.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is Chianti Classico's largest family with over 120 associate growers. Together, they promote the land, while also safeguarding and maintaining the age-old tradition of Tuscan winegrowing. As many of these growers are small, family-owned farms that have been handed down along ancestral lines for generations, the long-established knowledge and traditions are still transferred from one generation to the next. As a co-operative, they also share knowledge and use modern and innovative production methods and techniques to craft their wines. With passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

This red wine is from Castelli del Grevepesa's historical line of wines named Castelgreve, a collection of wines that have been produced since the 1970s and whose name is derived from the company's full name. The Castelgreve collection of wines reflects the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines which represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region. Like the 2018 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico that I enjoyed about a year and a half ago, this red wine is crafted mainly with Sangiovese (min. 80% as per the regulations), plus other permitted varieties. After hand-harvesting the grapes with individual grape selection, it was fermented at a controlled temperature. It was matured for a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels, followed by further refinement for 3 months in bottle.

While 2018 was a challenging vintage, 2019 was a comparatively easy ride as it was much drier with no humidity, as well as without the drought and heat spikes of 2017. Quantity and quality is high across the region, with an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in rich soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#344416) (XD) - $23.95
Crafted mainly with Sangiovese, the medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers enticing red and black cherry, spices, cedar wood, wet earth, and baking spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied and dry with elegant red and black cherry, and savoury wet earth flavours accented with oak spice, cedar, and forest floor notes. It has fresh, juicy acidity and while the grainy textured tannins have some tannic grip. There's a touch of graphite minerality on the mid-palate which lingers through to the savoury, smoky, long, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed over the next 4-5 years and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Cavaliere d'Oro Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a consistently well-made and lovely Riserva Chianti Classico that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the October 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castello di Gabbiano (CDG), an historic castle and winery whose story began with the construction of the cellars in the year 1124 in the heart of the Chianti region in Tuscany, Italy. In that epoch, the castle belonged to the Bardi family, one of the most important banking families of Florence. In the second half of the 13th century, the family began the extension of the fortress by building perimeter walls and battlements in the typical Guelph style of the era. The castle remained in the Bardi family until the early part of the 15th century, until it was passed on to the Soderini family, one of the most politically influential families in Florence.

The Soderini family converted the turreted family house of Gabbiano in Fattoria, which was completed by the late 15th century. It was during the period of Soderini's ownership, in 1464, when the land survey was presented by Tommaso Soderini to the "Officials" of the Land Registry of the Republic of Florence, where it was noted that wine and oil were the most highly prized produce of the estate.

Over the course of a century, the Soderini family added new buildings on several occasions, as can be deduced from the stonework which revealed various phases of development, until it was converted into a large quadrilateral building, which also formed a kind of private fortalice that was anchored with four cylindrical turrets reinforcing the corners. By 1505, the Soderini family converted the castle into a structure more like the present day version, with a round tower erected at each corner of the castle, displaying French architectural influence. Unfortunately, the Soderini's were declared rebels by the powerful Medici family during a struggle in the 16th century, which led to them being banned from Florence, and the castle abandoned for a long time. However, the Soderini family was able to return to their homeland in the 17th century and gave the castle new life.

From the 19th century onwards, the families who owned the property carried out various restoration works, while fully respecting the architectural features of the castle. One such building is a neo-classical style private chapel that was built in the 19th century while under the ownership of the Del Turco family.

Today, Castello di Gabbiano is owned by the multinational alcoholic beverage company Treasury Wine Estates. Castello di Gabbiano is situated in UGA of Castellina in Chianti and has 147 hectares of vines, of which 109 hectares are DOCG Chianti Classico, with 85% of their vines planted to Sangiovese, while applying certified sustainable viticulture practices across all of their vineyards and respecting the environment. In the winery, ancient traditions are combined with innovation and modern technology. The ancient cellar of the castle, which has been in use since the 14th century, has been skilfully restored while fully respecting the original architecture.

The winemaker at Castello di Gabbiano is Federico Cerelli. He joined CDG in 2011 after gaining 10 years of experience working at prestigious Italian wineries and supervising important winemaking projects in Tuscany and the Chianti Classico wine region. Federico trusts the most traditional practices that, over time, have become established the best - while embracing modern technology. This led to the creation of the first fermentation system with a mechanized and computerized punching down system.

Named Cavaliere d’Oro, which means "The Gold Knight", this red wine is crafted with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, using only the finest grapes from their estate vineyards. The fruit parcels from the different sites were kept separate during the vinification and ageing process, providing the winemaker with an enticing range of flavours and textures to create the final, blended wine. The grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation on skins in small, stainless steel tanks, followed by a secondary natural malolactic fermentation - with half in stainless steel and the other half in natural French oak - to help round out the wine while obtaining optimal acidity and freshness. The oak ageing occurred for 10 months in 15 to 30 hectolitre casks and 225 litre barrels, with only 10% new oak, and underwent further maturation for 12 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this 2018 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CAVALIERE D'ORO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot has richly fragrant and spicy aromas rising out of the glass, followed by attractive and captivating notes of pure red cherry, cinnamon, sweet spices, clove, forest floor, and orange citrus with hints of wet earth. The spicy notes continue on the medium-full to full-bodied palate, joined by lovely dark red cherry, savoury oak spices, forest floor, leather, and orange citrus flavours. Some dried herbal characters appear on the juicy mid-palate, with fresh acidity, while the fine-grained tannins are impressively structured. Savoury with touches of mineral and leather linger on the long, juicy finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy to the end of the decade! Score: 91 pts

One other wine from Castello di Gabbiano is available at the LCBO, while other wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2020 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, organic Chianti Classico made with Sangiovese that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as the Wine of the Month in the September 9 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Castello di Bossi wines are produced by Bacci Wines, a family-owned winery located in Tuscany. The Bacci family has a long history rooted in Tuscany. Bacci Wines was founded by Marco Bacci, who began his working career at the age of 19 in their family business that specialized in clothing, a company that eventually became an icon in Italy's fashion sector. From this success, Marco founded a real estate company to take advantage of the period of economic growth in the sector. In a short time, Marco acquired several properties, including Castello di Bossi in 1984.

Winemaking was a pleasant pasttime for Marco until 1985, when he bottled his first wine. In 1996, he left the fashion sector to dedicate his body and soul to the wine industry and acquired several more estates to reach a grand total of 6 wine estates, mostly in Tuscany. Today, Bacci Wines is not only dedicated to producing high-quality wines from the Tuscan region, but are well-known for their commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and producing their wines with great respect for the land.

Castello di Bossi is situated in the southern half of the Chianti Classico zone, within the territory of the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA. The site where Castello di Bossi resides has a long history going back to when the first tower was built there in the year 1090. In 1450, the original structure was expanded into the 4-walled fortress that can be seen today. The historic castle is an iconic landmark that also serves as the centrepiece of the winery. The estate has changed hands several times over the years and now covers 650 hectares, with 124 hectares under vines that are mostly planted with Sangiovese. The grapes for this Chianti Classico are typically grown at 350 metres (1,148 feet) above sea level on tufo, brown and yellow clay, and broken stone soils.

I've enjoyed this wine for many years, including most recently the 2018 Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico last year. The 2020 growing season was a challenging one (due to the pandemic), but offered winegrowers the opportunity to concentrate their efforts towards every aspect of cultivation, vineyard management, and production. While it is difficult to generalize a vintage in Chianti Classico because each UGA experiences its own unique conditions, the vintage quality and quantity in 2020 is good, and in some cases excellent. Let's see how this 2020 Chianti Classico from the Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95
This organic Sangiovese was aged in barrel for 12 months and is fresh and intensely aromatic with a very pretty nose of ripe pure red and dark red cherries that are joined by red currant, baking spices, clove, cinnamon, and gentle oak spice aromas. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with fresh, juicy acidity and ripe flavours of red fruited currant, plum, and cherry, plus cedary oak spice and clove notes adding a savoury component. Ripe, gently drying, and grippy tannins coat the palate. Tangy on the mid-palate, while red currant, plum, cherry, and cedary oak notes with hints of mineral linger on the long finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines from Castello di Bossi can be purchased from the LCBO or through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia./ Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Rocca delle Macìe Famiglia Zingarelli Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying the delicious 2017 Rocca delle Macìe Famiglia Zingarelli Riserva Chianti Classico nearly three years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest edition (and from a very good vintage!) to arrive recently at the LCBO as part of last month's June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Rocca delle Macìe, a family-owned winery that was established in 1973 by Italian film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill a lifelong dream. Italo Zingarelli acquired the 85 hectare "Le Macìe" estate, of which only 2 hectares were planted to vine, and quickly grew the estate into one of the most popular names in Italian winemaking. Rocca della Macìe is located in the heart of Tuscany, near the town of Castellina in Chianti, with the estate having grown to an expansive area of approximately 600 hectares, with approximately 200 hectares dedicated to vineyards. The vineyards are situated at various altitudes, allowing for the cultivation of various grape varieties, but mainly Sangiovese, that thrive in the region's diverse micro-climates and terroirs.

Today, Rocca della Macìe is run by Italo's son, Sergio, and has become one of the most prominent wine producers in the Chianti region by creating wines that not only respect the terroir, but also through a deep commitment to improving wine quality through innovation while remaining rooted in tradition. The wines are crafted to reflect the unique characteristics of the terroir, while showcasing the aromas and flavours of the Tuscan countryside. The winery also follows sustainable agricultural practices and places a strong emphasis on preserving the natural balance of the environment.

Like the previous vintage, this edition is also composed of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. Bearing the Zingarelli family name, this red wine is the flagship wine of the zone and represents the greatest expression of the zone's particular features while highlighting the strong link that the family has to the area of Chianti Classico. It is proudly crafted using the best grapes from the four estates of Rocca delle Macìe in the area of Castellina in Chianti, representing the synthesis of four distinctive terroirs. The grapes were carefully selected and vinified according to traditional Chianti Classico methods. It was aged in French oak barrels for two years, and further refined in bottle for at least three months.

Although it is somewhat difficult to generalize a growing season in Chianti Classico, the 2019 vintage was, by many accounts, a very good-to-excellent vintage. The growing season was fairly even throughout, as it was quite dry with no humidity. The grape quantity and quality is very high, with many producers enjoying a very late harvest that is typically preferred for Sangiovese. The resulting wines this year tend to have well-balanced acidity and tannins, as well as a nicely balanced texture and excellent aromas. Let's see how this 2019 Riserva Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $25.95
Blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The rich, complex, medium-high intensity nose has perfumed and spicy aromas layered over dark berry, cherry, blackberry, and forest floor with hints of plum, dried herb, dried cherry, and floral adding complexity. It's medium-full bodied and slightly chewy on the palate with elegant, gently grippy tannins and juicy, well-balanced acidity. Lovely dark red cherry, clove, forest floor, and cedary wood spice flavours, plus some tangy notes on the mid-palate. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury forest floor and cocoa notes, plus a touch of mineral lingering on the long, succulent finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 90+ pts

Many other lovely wines by Rocca delle Macìe are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying this lovely red wine as part of the Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio gift pack last fall, this Chianti Classico Annata arrives on its own next weekend in the May 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is tonight's red wine review.

Castelli del Grevepesa is a modern, co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers from the different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico. They came together because the 60's were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region. Together, they wanted to safeguard the land and maintain age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still pass on from one generation to the next. They also had a shared ambition to introduce innovative production methods and techniques, which included careful grape selection and a rigorously controlled vinification process, to produce high quality wines at affordable prices in compliance with the strict regulations of the law and the consortium that was previously called Consorzio Gallo Nero, and now Consorzio del Chianti Classico.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa has grown to become the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers that are passionate and hard working. The logo of Castelli del Grevepesa is an iris flower that grows naturally between Val di Greve and Val di Pesa. The iris is a perennial flower that resists both the sweltering heat of summer and the winter frost - it is a symbol of the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions. Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to be guardians of hundreds of years of traditions as their ancestors taught them that wine comes, first and foremost, from the vineyard. Thus, they are committed to promoting the land and safeguarding the traditions of ancient craftsmanship. As one of the first co-operative wineries in Italy, one of their founding values is that fine quality wine must be for everyone and is a source of great pride and satisfaction.

As I enjoyed the 2018 Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico back in November, this vintage is also crafted with 100% Sangiovese. Certified sustainable, the grapes were hand-harvested with individual bunch selection and then fermented at a controlled temperature with 10 days of maceration with skins. It was aged for 12 months with 85% in Slavonian oak barrels and 15% in barriques, followed by a further 3 months in bottle after blending.

Although the growing season in Chianti Classico can be hard to generalize since it is a fairly large region, the 2019 summer growing season can be defined as a real classic. Let's see how this 2019 Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#421388) (XD) - $22.95
100% Sangiovese. The medium-high intensity nose offers an attractive mix of red cherry, savoury wet earth, red currant, raspberry, dried herbs, and sweet oak spice aromas. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied it has red fruited, red cherry and red plum flavours, plus savoury earth, oak spice, and dried herbal notes which are supported fresh, well-balanced acidity and ripe, refined, dusty textured, and lightly grippy tannins. Spicy mid-palate. Cherry and savoury earth notes are joined by hints of orange and mineral on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy to the end of the decade. Score: 89 pts

One other wine by Castelli del Grevepesa is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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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.

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Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, sustainably crafted Riserva Chianti Classico which arrives at the LCBO this coming weekend as part of the December 3rd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, this modern co-operative winery was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. Today, this co-operative is the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers. Together, they maintain age-old traditions and know-how that is passed along each generation, while also using modern and innovation production methods and techniques to craft their wines. With passion and hard work, Castelli del Grevepesa aims to deliver a combination of fine quality and affordably priced wines.

After enjoying several wines recently from Castelli del Grevepesa's Clemente VII range, this red wine is from their Castelgreve line of wines. The name 'Castelgreve' is a shortened version of the company's full name. This Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico is crafted with mainly Sangiovese (min. 80%) and a small percentage of other red berry varieties. The grapes were hand-harvested with individual grape selection, then fermented at a controlled temperature of 30°C with 12 days of maceration time with skins. It was aged for a minimum of 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by further refinement and ageing in bottle for at least 3 months. From what was by most accounts an exceptionally good vintage, let's see how this 2018 Riserva Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#344416) (XD) - $21.95
Crafted with mainly Sangiovese, this has a medium-high intensity nose that is elegant and quite pretty with aromas of sweet red and black cherry, sweet baking spices, cinnamon, and clove, along with touches of plum and earthy, oak spice undertones which add a savoury component. It's medium to medium-full bodied and slightly creamy on the palate with plummy, red and black cherry, sweet spices, and oak flavours. Juicy and succulent with fresh acidity and smooth, refined tannins that have just a touch of chalky grip. Savoury with chocolatey oak and earthy notes lingering on the long finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next few years. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO or through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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

After enjoying the lovely 2019 vintage of this red wine that was included as part of the Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio gift box last month, tonight's wine review is the 2018 vintage that arrived at the LCBO last weekend on its own as the Wine of the Month in the November 19 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. They came together because 1960s were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region and Sir Armando Nunzi wanted to not only safeguard the land and maintain the age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still today pass on from one generation to the next, but also introduce innovative production methods and techniques such as implementing careful grape selection and rigorously controlling the vinification process. Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers. As one of the first co-operatives in Italy, Castelli del Grevepesa strives with a passion and hard work to achieve a combination of fine quality and affordably priced wines.

This Chianti Classico is crafted with 100% Sangiovese that was hand-harvested with individual bunch selection. It was fermented at a controlled temperature of 28°C with 10 days of maceration with skins. Aging occurred for 12 months, with 85% of the wine aged in Slavonian oak barrels, while the remainder was aged in barriques; it was then blended and refined in bottle for a further three months.

Although it can be difficult to generalize vintages in Chianti Classico as the weather tends to be very localized and Sangiovese is particularly sensitive to the site where its grown, the 2018 growing season was characterized as more challenging than 2019. On the whole, Chianti Classico experienced an uneven and changeable weather pattern throughout the growing season with a lack of sustained dry, sunny weather. This changeable weather pattern created a lot of extra work to manage the health of the vineyards. However, when September arrived it brought hot, sunny days with good night-day temperature variation, enabling the grapes to fully ripen and the harvest to go ahead without any further problems. In terms of quality, it was another very good year for those who managed to harvest quite late. Let's see how this 2018 Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#421388) (XD) - $18.95
100% Sangiovese. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose offers aromas of ripe red and black cherry, blackberry, earthy forest floor, and wood spice notes with touches of dried herbs and spices. On the medium to medium+ bodied palate it is very ripe with delicious red and dark cherry, savoury earth, woodspice replays, plus some red plum and dried herbal flavours. It's juicy and fresh with light, dusty, and slightly grippy tannins. Long and succulent on the savoury, earthy, and woody finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

While the Clemente VII Trio gift box is available in limited quantities at the LCBO, it can also be ordered along with other wines from the Castelli del Grevepesa portfolio through the Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Trio (Tuscany) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of delightful red wines from Tuscany that would make a lovely gift for the holidays as they arrived in a wooden gift box as part of the recent October 22nd LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The wines are produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi together with an initial group of 17 winegrowers. The 1960s were difficult years in the Chianti winegrowing region with economic and technical crisis, along the the region stuck using old production methods. Sir Gualtiero Armando Nunzi managed to bring together winegrowers from the different areas of Florentine Chianti Classico with a shared intention to safeguard the land, maintain the age-old traditions of Tuscan winegrowing with the long-established know-how that farmers still today pass on from one generation to the next.

Castelli del Grevepesa was ambitious in its objective to produce high quality wines in compliance with the strict regulations of the law and of the consortium called Consorzio Gallo Nero, which is now Consorzio del Chianti Classico, while also implementing careful grape selection, and rigorously control the vinification process. Their logo is an iris flower that grows naturally and perennially between Val di Greve and Val di Pesa, while resisting both the sweltering heat of summer and the winter frost. The iris flower is a symbol of the solidity of Castelli del Grevepesa and of its unbreakable bond with Florentine culture and traditions.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is the largest Chianti Classico family with over 120 associate winegrowers who with passion and hard work produce fine quality wines that are accessible to everyone, as well as recognised and valued throughout 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 wines included in the Trio wooden gift box are from Grevepesa's Clemente VII range of wines that celebrates Giulio de' Medici - a member of the famous Florentine Medici family - who became Pope Clemente VII in 1523 and used to live in Campoli within the Chianti Classico area where Castelli del Grevepesa produces their wines today. Let's see how this lovely wines from Tuscany are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII TRIO - Three bottles in wooden gift box, Tuscany, Italy (#577908) (XD) (2250 mL) - $84.95

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD)
100% Sangiovese that was hand-harvested with 85% aged in Slavonian oak barrels and the rest in barriques, all for 12 months. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is clean and ripe with aromas of plum, red cherry, and berry joined by hints of sweet spice, orange zest, and forest floor undertones. On the medium bodied palate it has ripe plum, dark red cherry, berry, subtle wood spice, and forest floor flavours that are tangy on the mid-palate. It has fresh, juicy acidity and supple, lightly textured tannins. Savoury wood spice notes linger on the clean, refreshing finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD)
100% Sangiovese with half aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months, and the other half aged in barriques for 12 months. The medium to medium-high intensity nose offers a pleasing, savoury mix of wood spice, forest floor and earth with notes of forest berry and dark red cherry emerging with time in the glass. The medium-full bodied palate ripe with dark red cherry, wood spice, forest floor, and earthy flavours supported by juicy acidity and medium-firm, grippy tannins that should flesh out nicely with a few years in the cellar. Slightly tangy fruit on the mid- and back-palate. Savoury wood spice, earth, and hints of mushroom notes linger on the long, balanced finish. Enjoy over the next 6-7 years. Score: 90 pts

CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII SETTIMO ROSSO DI TOSCANA 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (XD)
Blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, and 25% Syrah that was aged in medium toast barriques for 15 months. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy with perfumed aromas of dark red and black cherry, baking spice, vanillin oak, and a touch of shoe polish. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the ripe, chewy palate with dark red cherry, black plum, earthy woodspice, licorice, and vanillin oak flavours. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the tannins are smooth, supple, and well-integrated. Touches of pepper join the savoury, earthy, and woodspice notes on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Castello di Bossi Berardo Riserva Chianti Classico 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2018 Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico a few months ago, for tonight's red wine review we go up a notch with a Riserva Chianti Classico from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the May 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Castello di Bossi is located in Chianti Classico's southernmost commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Florence and 14 kilometres east of Siena. The name "Bossi" is apparently linked to a money chest made of the rare and prized boxwood which the Roman army would carry to its encampments to pay the soldiers. Local inscriptions dating back to the 1st century A.D. indicate that a Roman settlement existed on the site where Castello di Bossi resides.

Today, Castello di Bossi is owned by Bacci Wines. While growing up in Tuscany, Marco Bacci developed a passion for wine and purchased the estate in 1983, bottling his first wines a couple of years later after spending some time learning about the soil and vines. The estate covers an area of 650 hectares, with most of the 124 hectares of vines planted to Sangiovese. The Bacci family uses modern viticultural practices to consistently harvest the best quality fruit in order to best express the terroir and grape variety. With great care and an eye for detail, the Bacci family uses only estate fruit to produce their wines and believes that nature plays a significant role in the quality of their wines.

This red wine is 100% Sangiovese from the Berardo Vineyard within the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga. The commune is located at the southernmost tip of the Chianti Classico zone and Berardo is a shorthand way of saying "it comes from Berardenga." The Berardo Vineyard is 88 acres in size and planted on calcareous clay-loam soils at an elevation of 1,155 feet with southern exposure to the sun. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing in French barriques and casks for 18-24 months, and then aged in bottle for 6 months prior to release. First produced in 1994, let's see how this 2016 Riserva Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI BERARDO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#113316) (XD) - $38.95
This 100% Sangiovese has a lovely, open, fragrant, and fresh nose delivering aromas of Damson plum, red cherry, spices, sandalwood, and savoury wet earth with rose floral accents. It's medium-full bodied on the chewy, structured palate with very appealing Damson plum, red cherry, savoury earth, and sweet spice flavours. Acids are fresh and lively, while the ripe, youthful tannins have some grip that will reward ageing. Savoury with lovely flavour replays lingering on the long, youthful finish. While enjoyable now, this should be even better in 3-4 years and drink well to at least the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other fine wines from Castello di Bossi are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely, organic Chianti Classico that arrives at the LCBO this weekend and is featured as the Wine of the Month in the February 5th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The wines of Castello di Bossi are produced by Bacci Wines. After developing a passion for wine while growing up in Tuscany, Marco Bacci purchased the estate in 1983 and after spending some to learn about the soil and vines, he bottled his first wines in 1985.

Castello di Bossi is located in the southern half of the Chianti Classico production zone, within the Comune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Florence and 14 kilometres east of Siena. The estate has changed hands several times over the years, while the site itself has a long history that goes back to the first tower that was built there in the year 1090. In 1450, the original structure was expanded into the 4-walled fortress that can be seen today. The estate now covers 650 hectares, with 124 hectares under vine that are mostly planted with Sangiovese. The Bacci family has since purchased a number of estates in Tuscany and use modern viticultural practices to consistently harvest the best quality fruit in order to express the best qualities of the terroir and each grape variety. Marco uses only estate-grown fruit and believes that nature plays a significant role in the quality of their wines, thereby growing all of their grapes with great care and an eye for detail.

After enjoying the 2016 Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico from an exceptional vintage a couple of years ago, this red wine is from a vintage that was generally a cool year with uneven ripening. It is crafted using 100% Sangiovese that was grown at 350 metres (1,148 feet) above sea level on tufo, brown and yellow clay, and broken stone soils within the Chianti Classico subzone of Castelnuovo Berardenga that is located in the south of the denomination. The wines of Castelnuovo Berardenga are often described as having Brunello-like structure. Let's see how this 2018 Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95
Organic, this 100% Sangiovese has an elegant, medium+ intensity nose with aromas of sour red and black cherry, savoury earth, and clove spice. The medium-full bodied, structured and ripe palate has more sour red and black cherries, savoury earth, and clove spice flavours supported by fresh, lemony acidity. It has grippy, structured tannins, while the long, juicy finish is minerally with savoury earthy, and clove spice notes. A big wine for an Annata. Recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

Although I see one other wine from this producer at the LCBO, other lovely wines from the Bacci Wines portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Tenuta Perano Rialzi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Chianti Classico Gran Selezione that rises to excellence. It is a new arrival to the LCBO this weekend as part of the July 24 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Frescobaldi, an historic winemaking family that has been committed to viticulture in Tuscany for over 700 years, beginning in the early 1300s. The Frescobaldi family established their presence in the Oltrarno district of Florence, in the Piazza de' Frescobaldi, by building their palazzo, covered loggia, and tower, as well as the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge that connected their own properties Florence's historic centre. In the 20th century, Vittorio, Ferdinando and Leonardo Frescobaldi helped elevate Tuscany to a place of excellence for viticulture. Today, President Lamberto Frescobaldi aims to further strengthen the uniqueness of the wines from each family estate, along with a continued commitment for sustainable agriculture, diversity, and wines that reflect their terroir.

Tenuta Perano is one of the eight estates of Frescobaldi. It is a unique estate located in the heart of Chianti Classico in Gaiole, an area with exceptional soils and climate that captures the light and warmth of the sun. The vineyards are located 500 metres (1,640 feet) above sea level, well above normal altitude for the late-maturing Sangiovese grape. The steep slopes and stony soils in this area create healthy air movement and is the ideal terroir for Sangiovese.

This particular red wine is from their Rialzi Vineyard, which literally translates to "rises", and is named as such because the vineyard rises above others on three natural steps. Crafted entirely with Sangiovese, the grapes were meticulously tended to in the vineyard, then carefully hand-picked. After careful selection in the cellar, the grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. It was then aged for 36 months, 24 of which were spent in barriques, following by another short period of ageing in bottle prior to release. In 2016, the climate around the estate of Tenuta Perano produced perfectly ripe and succulent fruit, leading to an outstanding harvest of exceptional quality Sangiovese grapes, which in turn produced a truly extraordinary wine of great aromatic intensity and rich structure. Let's see how this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TENUTA PERANO RIALZI CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2016 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#17682) (XD) - $49.95
This 100% Sangiovese has lovely, elegant, medium-high intensity aromatics that offer attractive notes of rose florals, red cherry, sweet spices, earth, sandalwood, and clove. It's medium-full bodied with very good concentration on the slightly chalky palate with red cherry, floral, sweet spice, earthy, and stony mineral flavours. It's supported by fresh, citrusy acidity and structured tannins that are refined, textured, and slightly chalky. Succulent with minerals, red cherries, and floral lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoy this highly recommended buy until at least the end of the decade. Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines from Frescobaldi can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties - Sangiovese & Vernaccia di San Gimignano

After enjoying last month's masterclass on Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties featuring Nebbiolo & Valpolicella, I travelled to Tuscany yesterday evening (virtually, of course) to learn about the grape varietals Sangiovese & Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This class is the second in the series being held by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada).

Tuscany is Italy's oldest wine producing region with winegrowing activities by the Etruscans occurring as far back as the 8th century BC. The hilly terrain is ideal for producing world class wines, and although Tuscany is the 4th most widely planted wine region in Italy by acreage, they are 6th most by volume due to the focus on lower yields and higher quality. Of the total wine production, 85% is devoted to producing red and rosé wines, and 15% to white wines. Sangiovese is the most widely planted varietal in Tuscany, while Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG is considered to be Tuscany's most noblest white wine.

Vernaccia is a white wine grape grown mainly in the commune of San Gimignano within the province of Siena, Tuscany, in north-central Italy. The earliest record of Vernaccia in San Gimignano dates back to the year 1276. Vernaccia is yellow-green and amber coloured and grows in big bunches with medium-sized berries. It prefers sandstone with marly clay soils at altitudes between 200 and 400 metres above sea-level.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG is a designation of quality, similar to the French AOC system. To meet DOCG standards, 85% of of the wine must be cultivated within San Gimignano, and 15% of the wine can be blended with other local white, non-aromatic grapes. Riserva wines are aged in wood for a minimum of 11 months, plus a further 3 months in bottle prior to release. Typical aromas and flavours of Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines are white flowers, green apple, citrus, and honey, as I detected in the fine, unoaked example that was featured in the masterclass.

Sangiovese is one of the most important grape varieties in Italy and among the top 10 in the world. Approximately 10% of all vineyards in Italy are planted to Sangiovese, while more than 60% of vineyards in Tuscany are home to Sangiovese. Although Sangiovese's origins are unknown, it is thought to come from domesticated wild vines of Etruscan origin. There is also some DNA evidence that suggests it came from the south as a cross between varietals Ciliegiolo and Calabrese di Montenuovo. The name "Sangiovese" comes from the latin term "sanguis Jovis", which translates to "the blood of Jove or Jupiter".

In the vineyard, Sangiovese buds early and is slow to ripen. It thrives on hillsides and higher altitudes (up to a certain point), and prefers the direct sunlight, warmth, and dry climate that is found in Tuscany. Sangiovese is very sensitive to terroir and prefers soils with limestone such as Galestro and Alberese. As the king of Tuscan viticulture, Sangiovese produces wines of many different styles from many places in Tuscany. Notable wines include Chianti DOCG, Chianti Classico DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Morellino di Scansano DOCG, and the Super Tuscans. Typical fruit aromas and flavours are in the red cherry, sour cherry, strawberry, and raspberry spectrum, plus savoury notes of earth, leather, licorice, and tobacco, as well as floral notes. High acidity and firm tannins are also characteristics of Sangiovese wines, lending itself to be highly ageable.

Both of the lovely wines featured in the masterclass are represented by Cavinona, an Ontario-based wine agency that specializes in Italian wine, and can be purchased by the bottle at their wine shops - contact Cavinona directly for details. You can also purchase the Vernaccia by the case and use discount code ICCOMARCH for 10% off until April 14th. This special discount code can be used on any case purchase on cavinona.com.

The small bites included as part of the tasting package contained some Pecorino Toscano DOP and Grana Padano DOP cheeses, as well as Taggiasche and Baresane Olives. The package also included Patè di Fegatini with crostini (Tuscan chicken liver patè) and Focaccia Toscana, all of which were made in-house by Chef Boris and Head Butcher at Spaccio, Terroni's production kitchen.

The final masterclass in the series is on April 15th and will focus on the grape varieties Aglianico & Montepulciano. You can join us by registering for the free class here. To order your wines for the April 15th masterclass, please visit Bottega di Terroni. To participate on social media, follow @trueitaliantaste and these hashtags on Instagram: #ExtraordinaryItalianTaste #TrueItalianTaste #iffoodcouldtalk.

Tasting Notes:

IL COLOMBAIO DI SANTA CHIARA SELVABIANCA VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD) - $29.24
100% Vernaccia di San Gimignano that was organically grown on sandy soils rich in stone and fossils, and deep soil with mixed consistency and pebbles. Hand-harvested and fermented in cement vats and stainless steel tanks, while also spending some months on the lees. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers delightful aromas of white florals, lemon citrus, green apple, leesy mineral, and wet stone characters. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the ripe, concentrated, palate with flavours of honeysuckle, floral, lemon, and stony-leesy mineral notes. It has succulent, juicy acidity while leesy, mineral and some saline notes linger on the long, chalky textured finish. Best enjoyed on the cool side. Score: 91 pts

ISTINE VIGNA CAVARCHIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (XD) - $57.49
Organically farmed, 100% Sangiovese from the best selection of the vineyard in the Radda in Chianti sub-zone. It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in 20 hL Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months. Fragrant, intense, perfumed aromatics are elegant with notes of red cherry, cinnamon, red floral, sweet spice, and clove. On the medium-full to full-bodied on the palate it has very good fruit concentration with lovely aroma replays of red cherry, floral, sweet cinnamon spice, and savoury earthy notes. It has very good acidity and some structure to the slightly chalky textured tannins. Excellent length on the long, savoury, and juicy finish. Gorgeous! Score: 92 pts

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Rocca delle Macìe Single Vineyard Riserva di Fizzano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2015 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this excellent Gran Selezione Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES on October 31st.

Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973 by by Italian film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill a life-long dream to have his own winery when he acquired the "Le Macìe" estate in the heart of Chianti Classico. Today, Rocca delle Macìe has four estates within the southwest area of Chianti Classico, more specifically in the Municipality of Castellina in Chianti. This area is particularly suited to the cultivation of vines and is characterized by very heterogeneous soils that guarantee a variety of aromas and unique organoleptic characteristics.

I've enjoyed many wines from Rocca delle Macìe over the years, including tasting this Gran Selezione that is made with grapes exclusively from Tenuta Riserva di Fizzano, one of Rocca delle Macìe's four estates in Chianti Classico. Tenuta Riserva di Fizzano was purchased in 1984 and is locally renowned for its excellent exposure of its primarily south-facing vineyards. Just over half of the 61 hectares of the estate are devoted to vineyards growing Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Colorino at an altitude between 623 to 985 feet above sea level, on soils with Miocene deposits with a sandy-loamy texture that is deep and calcareous. This site also has over 4 hectares of olive groves, along with an oil mill that produces all of Rocca delle Macìe's olive oil, as well as the company's hospitality hub - a place I would love to visit one day.

Even though the Gran Selezione classification only became official with the 2010 vintage, this winery's historic cru already had the characteristics of producing very special wines. Like all Gran Selezione which must use only estate grown fruit, this Riserva di Fizzano is also a single vineyard wine grown on sandy and pebbly soils that are ideal for Sangiovese. Every vintage, this wine is made with a minimum 90% Sangiovese, and the balance Colorino. After fermentation, most of the wine matures in 35 hL French oak barrels, while the rest is aged in 225 L barriques. After the two batches are blended, the wine rests in the bottle for another year prior to release. Let's see how this Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE SINGLE VINEYARD RISERVA DI FIZZANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#699454) (XD) - $34.95
The 2015 is a blend of 93% Sangiovese and 7% Colorino and offers a complex and elegant mix of savoury earth, spice, black and red cherry with a touch of dried floral aromas. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with lovely dried cherry and floral notes, plus sweet baking spice, forest floor, tobacco, leathery. and cherry liqueur flavours. Acids are juicy and well-balanced while tannins are smooth and refined with a touch of grip on the back palate. Forest floor with some dried cherry and floral notes linger on the savoury finish, with excellent length. An elegant wine to enjoy throughout the decade. Score: 91+ pts

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Rocca delle Macìe Famiglia Zingarelli Riserva Chianti Classico 2017 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of this nice Chianti Classico that arrived as a "Smart Buy" at the LCBO over the long weekend as part of the September 5 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973 by Italian film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill a lifelong dream to have his own winery. He acquired the 85 hectare "Le Macìe" estate, of which only 2 hectares were planted to vine, and quickly grew the estate into one of the most popular names in Italian winemaking. This was achieved by creating wines that not only respect the terroir, but also having a consistent commitment to improving wine quality through innovation.

The Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli is the flagship wine of the zone and represents the greatest expression of the zone's particular features, proudly bearing the Zingarelli family name in order to highlight the strong link that the family has to the area of Chianti Classico. It is made using the best grapes from the four estates of Rocca delle Macìe in the area of Castellina in Chianti, resulting in a blend of four terroirs. Following careful selection, the grapes (90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot) are vinified according to traditional Chianti Classico methods, then aged in French oak barrels for two years, followed by further refinement in bottle for a minimum of three months.

This red wine is a regular visitor to VINTAGES, and I have tasted previous vintages of this wine on numerous occasions over the years. I last enjoyed the 2015 Rocca delle Macìe Famiglia Zingarelli Riserva Chianti Classico at home nearly two years ago and am pleased to have the opportunity to try the 2017 tonight.

Tasting Note:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#930966) (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The medium+ intensity nose offers bright sour red cherries surrounded by wood spice, earthy, and savoury aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with pleasing blackberry notes joining the woody, savoury aroma replays. It has juicy, balanced acidity, and fine, textured tannins with a pleasing touch of grip. The savoury, wood spice tones continue through to the finish, with very good length. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

There are quite a few wines from Rocca delle Macìe available at the LCBO, but other wines from this producer can also be ordered via their agent's brand new website - Profile Wine Group.

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Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a nice Chianti Classico that is part of the VINTAGES Essentials collection and widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario for purchase in-store and online for either delivery or pick-up.

It is produced by Rocca delle Macìe, a relative newcomer to winegrowing in Italy as it was established in the Chianti Classico zone only in 1973. It was founded by film producer Italo Zingarelli to fulfill his life-long dream when he acquired the 93 hectare "Le Macìe" estate - of which only 2 hectares were planted to vine. The passion and love for the Tuscan land was passed along to his sons Sergio and Fabio in the mid-to-late 1980's, with Sergio becoming President in 1989. In collaboration with his sister Sandra, they set out to make quality wines and the company became quite popular and recognized worldwide. Today, Rocca delle Macìe has more than 500 hectares, 200 ha of which are planted to vines and 22 ha to olive groves, across its six estates which span the areas of Chianti Classico and Maremma in Tuscany.

This Chianti Classico was born along with the winery when the first vintage was bottled at least as far back as 1978, and growing to become the ambassador that represents Rocca delle Macìe. In fact, the history of Rocca delle Macìe is doubly intertwined with this Chianti Classico as the wine has evolved over the years both through the changes imposed upon it by updates to local wine regulations and through enhancements made in the vineyards thanks to replanting, soil analysis, and the clonal selection of Sangiovese.

Tasting Note:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#741769) (XD) - $18.95
A blend of mainly Sangiovese (and 5% Merlot), that was selected and picked by hand, and aged for 6-10 months in Slavonian/French oak barrels. The medium intensity nose has a savoury, dark red cherry, and sweet spiced core flecked with dried herbal aromas. It's medium-bodied with fresh, lively acidity that lifts the savoury, red cherry, currant, and oak spice flavours. Soft, grainy tannins are a touch drying on the savoury, earthy finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts

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Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2015 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is featured as the Wine of the Month from the upcoming October 26th LCBO VINTAGES Release and will be on shelves across Ontario by next weekend.

Bacci Wines is the producer, and they make this fine red at their Castello di Bossi estate which is located in the southern area of the Chianti Classico zone within the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the province of Siena in Tuscany, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Florence and 14 kilometres east of Siena. This area tends to produce wines that are fuller and more structured than those from the rest of Chianti Classico, closely resembling those of Montalcino.

The name "Bossi" is apparently linked to a money chest, referred to as boxwood, which was made from a rare and prized type of wood that the Roman army would carry to its encampments to pay its soldiers. Local inscriptions on the site indicate that it was a Roman settlement as far back as the 1st century AD. In the 9th century, a noble family called the dei Berardenghi settled there and enjoyed a lengthy rule over the territories they owned, eventually withdrawing into private life and donating most of their landholdings to a church. However, they kept the property which today surrounds the castle.

At the centre of the estate is Bossi Castle. The first tower was built around the year 1099 and shows the area's early strategic importance. Around 1450, it was expanded into the 4-walled fortress that visitors can see today.

Castello di Bossi has changed hands many times over the years, and was in a slow decline until it was acquired by the Bacci family sometime after World War II. Today, the estate covers 650 hectares, of which 124 hectares are planted with vines. By employing modern viticultural practices, Castello di Bossi aims to harvest the best quality fruit year after year in order to express the best qualities of the terroir and individual grape varieties.

This red wine is made with 100% Sangiovese from soils that contain yellow clay, tufo, gravel and broken rocks, located in a vineyard 350 metres above sea level with southwest exposure. The average age of the vines is 18 years and is manually harvested.

Tasting Note:

CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95
100% Sangiovese that spent 6 months in oak casks. Fragrant, perfumed nose of spice, red cherry, clove and incense aromas. It is medium-full bodied and quite savoury on the palate with red cherries, chocolate, spice and some stony mineral flavours. Acids are fresh and mouthwatering while textured tannins are a touch on the grippy side. Clean, savoury, stony mineral and red cherry notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Highly recommended wine to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 91 pts

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