Winemaker Notes
“Bandinello,” an ancestor’s namesake, is a hearty Tuscan red that blends young Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and Syrah from the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. Where fruit from older vines is reserved for Chianti bottlings that will spend at least two years in the cellar softening around the edges, the juice for this cuvée is bottled with immediate pleasure in mind after six brief months in oak casks. It’s a youthful wine that’s vibrant and vigorous and delivers on their modest promise of simplicity. And while this provincial red aims to favor rusticity over charm, it turns out the two are not mutually exclusive. “Bandinello” is among the most perfect country wines.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.