San Vincenti Chianti Classico Riserva 2011
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San Vincenti farm is located on an area of 148 acres in Gaiole in Chianti at an elevation of 1400 to 4500 feet above sea level. The owner of this charming privately owned winery in Gaiole in chianti is called Roberto Pucci, a 70+ year old dynamic entrepreneur from Prato, who became enamoured of the beautiful Chianti area a few years ago and decided to dedicate all his resources to the production of wine with great character. Leading this project is a sacred figure of Italian oenology, Carlo ferrini, a total connoisseur of Chianti Classico and creator of cult wines known and appreciated by lovers of wine from all over the world.
San Vincenti winery owns two vineyards: Stignano which extends for 14 acres. Half of the acres are planted mainly with older Sangiovese grapes and the other half is entirely planted with newer Sangiovese. Le Corticelle has five acres planted wth Merlot grapes. The soil of this area is a mixture of clay and calcareous rock called galestro.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
One of the first wine regions anywhere to be officially recognized and delimited, Chianti Classico is today what was originally defined simply as Chianti. Already identified by the early 18th century as a superior zone, the official name of Chianti was proclaimed upon the area surrounding the townships of Castellina, Radda and Gaiole, just north of Siena, by Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany in an official decree in 1716.
However, by the 1930s the Italian government had appended this historic zone with additonal land in order to capitalize on the Chianti name. It wasn’t until 1996 that Chianti Classico became autonomous once again when the government granted a separate DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) to its borders. Ever since, Chianti Classico considers itself no longer a subzone of Chianti.
Many Classicos are today made of 100% Sangiovese but can include up to 20% of other approved varieties grown within the Classico borders. The best Classicos will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and be full-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit (plums, black cherry, blackberry). Also common among the best Classicos are expressive notes of cedar, dried herbs, fennel, balsamic or tobacco.