Casavecchia alla Piazza di Gabriele Buondonno
In 1988, you could purchase an entire estate in Chianti Classico for the price of a pleasant two-bedroom vacation rental on the Amalfi Coast. It made sense for Gabriele Buondonno, who was searching for exciting locations to produce wine, to sell up. He started making wine in 1989 with just a big home and four hectares of vines, and by 1990, he was one of just three organic growers in the Classico region. He eventually reached his current size of 15 hectares after starting to buy more vines throughout the years. Approximately 6 hectares of them face straight north, protecting them from excessive sunlight. They are planted in a river valley that runs roughly north-south. Cool winds keep them several degrees cooler than other adjacent vineyards. According to Gabriele, the significant day/night temperature variations enhance the presence of polyphenols, which give wines their depth and flavor. These two elements also significantly contribute to the freshness of the wines, which is especially crucial in light of climate change. He had a lot going on at first. His three children were left in his care since his wife, a professor of agriculture at the University of Naples, only returned home on the weekends. He was compelled to adopt a non-interventionist strategy because he had no time for anything other than the barest minimum in the cantina. This included waiting for malolactic fermentation to begin rather than causing it, which is against conventional wisdom, and performing two pump-overs per day during fermentation as opposed to three. The wines profited because the vineyard, not the winemaker, spoke, a strategy that still defines the wines today. They are authentic, pulsing with vitality, flawlessly representing their source, and neither fabricated nor modified.
2021 Buondonno Chianti Classiso
Buondonno Chianti Classico is a harmonious blend of Sangiovese with small amounts of other indigenous varieties. On the nose, expect an aromatic bouquet of red cherries, dried herbs, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, vibrant acidity pairs beautifully with flavors of ripe berries, earthy undertones, and a hint of spice. The wine’s well-integrated tannins provide a balanced, elegant finish. 92 corked Points
Roccapesta
The Roccapesta winery is situated in Scanzano, a tiny town in Tuscany’s Grosseto region. In the local dialect, Sangiovese is referred to as Morellino. The history of the company, which was established in 1974, is strongly tied to the Tuscan Maremma region. The property planted its first vines in 1974, with Chileijolo and Sangiovese. The business switched owners in 2003 and concentrates entirely on making high-quality red wines. More than 90% of the new vineyards planted by Leonardo and Alberto Tanzini are planted to Sangiovese, which is split up into eight distinct clones, along with Alicante and Punitello.
2020 Roccapesta Morellino di Scansano DOCG
The 2020 Roccapesta is a bold and expressive red wine, showcasing a rich blend of dark fruit aromas such as blackberries and plums, accompanied by hints of spice, leather, and earthy undertones. On the palate, it is full-bodied with velvety tannins and a well-balanced acidity, which enhances its structure. The finish is long and persistent with a touch of smoky oak that lingers. This wine is both complex and elegant, offering a delightful combination of fruitiness and depth, making it a great choice for pairing with hearty dishes like grilled meats or aged cheeses. 95 corked Points
Serio & Battista Borgogno
The famous Serio & Battista Borgogno winery is located in the undulating hills of Barolo, in the center of the Piedmont region. Since its founding in 1920, the Borgogno family has been producing wines that capture the essence of one of Italy’s most renowned wine regions’ rich history and contemporary tastes.
Barolo, the winery’s signature offering, is a representation of the distinctive terroir of the Langhe, where Nebbiolo grapes thrive under the watchful eye of the Borgogno family. A favourite among wine collectors and connoisseurs alike, Serio & Battista Borgogno’s Barolo is renowned for its elegance, depth, and age-ability. It displays the intricate interaction of fruit, tannins, and acidity. Serio & Battista Borgogno’s dedication to conventional winemaking techniques is what makes them unique. The best quality grapes are guaranteed by the family’s meticulous vineyard maintenance, which employs sustainable methods. With wines that age smoothly and reveal new layers of flavor with time, their commitment to maintaining the essence of Barolo is evident in every bottle.
2017 Barolo Cannubi
The 2017 Barolo Cannubi offers a radiant garnet hue and an elegant bouquet of red cherries, rose petals, sweet spices, and truffles. On the palate, silky tannins balance vibrant acidity, with flavors of dark fruit, cedar, and a touch of balsamic. The finish is long and refined, showcasing Cannubi’s exceptional terroir. Enjoy now with decanting or cellar for 10-15 years. 93 corked Points
https://www.borgognoseriobattista.it/en
Diego Conterno
Since 2003, Diego Conterno has operated his own winery in Monforte d’Alba. Two of the 7.5 hectares that make up his estate are part of the “grand cru” property Ginestra. In 2010, his son Stefano joined him, and they first bottled the Ginestra separately that year. They expanded their winery and switched to organic viticulture in 2014. Static fermenters and ever-larger barrels (botte grande) for aging are hallmarks of this region’s traditional winemaking. Although Monforte is renowned for its wines’ depth, structure, and length—as we all know—the terroir’s refinement is brought out by meticulous vineyard care and delicate winemaking.
2017 Barolo
The ruby-garnet color of the 2017 Diego Conterno Barolo is stunning. It has layers of black tea, dried rose petals, and ripe cherries on the nose, which are accentuated by notes of tobacco, leather, and sweet spice. With notes of earthy truffle, liquorice, and dark red fruit, the tongue is robust but well-balanced. A lively acidity guarantees freshness, and the robust, fine-grained tannins provide structure and depth. Its aging potential is demonstrated by a lengthy, intricate finish, which promises even more elegance over time.
Caccia di Paino
In the past fifty years, Bolgheri has gained notoriety as the birthplace of Sassicaia, the first Super Tuscan. Known more for its hunting than anything else, it was a plain commune on the coast before World War II that produced a lot of vegetables and a little Sangiovese. That is until Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta wed into the Della Gheradesca family, who owned territory in the area. In 1944, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon on a wooded slope in the hills facing the sea after hankering after Bordeaux and spotting soils that were similar to the left bank. The 1968 vintage was a superb wine that became a legend after it outperformed several first-growth clarets in a blind tasting in 1972. Others joined, planting Bordeaux varietals, and today Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda and Antinori’s Ornellaia are making wines in the same vein. The more recent addition is Caccia al Piano. Franco Ziliani, the creator of sparkling Franciacorta, bought it in 2003. With significant investments in additional vineyards and a cantina, things really began moving in 2013.
In 2018, their first “Super Tuscan” was produced. The plain between the hills and the sea is home to the majority of Bolgheri’s vineyards, and it is currently forbidden to establish new ones in the hills. The estate’s crown jewel is San Biagio, an ancient 12-hectare vineyard located in the hillsides just beneath the original Sassicaia vines.
2020 Ruit Hora Bolgheri Rosso
Caccia di Piano’s 2020 Ruit Hora Bolgheri Rosso is a stunning representation of the Tuscan coast. Ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and faint notes of Mediterranean herbs, along with undertones of cedar and fragrant spices, make up the harmonious bouquet of this deep crimson wine. With smooth tannins and a lively acidity that carries flavors of blackberry, plum, and a hint of cocoa, it has a full-bodied, well-balanced tongue. Bolgheri terroir’s beauty and complexity are demonstrated by the lingering finish, which offers earthy overtones and a pleasing minerality. An adaptable partner for aged cheeses, substantial pasta meals, and grilled meats. 92 corked Points
La Sala
Francesco Rossi Ferini, a successful local teenager whose family has long owned grapes in Chianti, bought the famous vineyard La Sala. The estate is split between La Sala, where the cantina is located, and Il Torriano, two neighboring properties. In addition to the more than 3,000 olive trees that cover 13 hectares (and produce pretty amazing grassy oil), there are currently over 33 hectares under vine in 40 different parcels. The best grapes are left to be vinified and bottled at the estate after half of the fruit is sold off in bulk. The quality is exceptional, spanning from the standard Chianti Classico to more ambitious cuvées, and there has been substantial investment in the vines and cantina since 2014.
In a successful collaboration with consultant Stefano Di Blasi, who was Antinori’s head of research and development for many years, Ovidio Mugnaini produces the wines. They yield exceptionally refined, clean wines that display all of Chianti Classico’s delicacy.
2019 Chianti Classico Grand Selezione
An exquisitely expressive wine that highlights the terroir’s charm. In addition to faint notes of tobacco, leather, and spice, the nose opens with scents of dried violets, luscious black cherries, and wild berries. It has smooth tannins, a well-balanced acidity that adds freshness, and a full-bodied yet elegant palate. A lengthy, mineral-driven finish is followed by flavors of dark plum, red currants, and a hint of savory herbs. An excellent example of Chianti Classico’s potential, it goes well with aged Pecorino or grilled meats. For more complexity, cellar or drink now. 94 corked Points
