A Red Wine with a Thousand Shades: Here are 10 Bottles that Pay Tribute to Italy's Most Widespread Native Black Grape Variety. All of Luca Gardini's Tips for Enjoying a Good Sangiovese.
ARGIANO
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
VIGNA DEL SUOLO 2018
An essential part of Ilcinese history, the result of the extensive zoning work strongly desired by Bernardino Sani. Multifaceted nose, hints of wild plum, pepper leaf, and star anise. Palate full of flavour and savoriness, with a fruity-herbal finish.
CAPANNA
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2018
Northeastern quadrant of Montalcino, a cellar with a glorious history, continuing its interpretations of Brunello with classicism and succulence. Blueberry nose, with touches of eucalyptus, orange peel, and rhubarb. A dense, savory, and fruity-citrusy return on the palate.
CASANOVA DI NERI
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
GIOVANNI NERI 2018
An impeccable interpretation, the result of excellent work both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Intense aromas of sour cherries and laurel leaves on the nose, with salty and iodine hints at the end. It opens up on the palate juicy and linear, with an intense and deep mouthfeel. Salty tannins and a herbal trace mark the long-lasting finish.
CASTELLO DI ALBOLA
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG GRAN SELEZIONE
IL SOLATÌO 2019
From the Radda in Chianti area, this successful Gran Selezione comes from a steep vineyard with a perfect microclimate. 100% Sangiovese, wild blackberry nose, with hints of turmeric and juniper. It is dense on the palate with salty-savory tannins and a fruity return.
COLLEMASSARI
MONTECUCCO SANGIOVESE DOCG RISERVA
POGGIO LOMBRONE 2017
An emblem of Maremma Sangiovese, the Poggio Lombrone Reserve has been at the top of the quality range for years. Refined nose, notes of marasca cherries in spirit, touches of wild iris, hints of cinnamon, and a menthol finish. On the palate, it's juicy-savory with a fruity return.
ENIO OTTAVIANI
ROMAGNA SANGIOVESE DOC
DADO 2018
A Sangiovese cru that highlights the full potential of the terroir. Nose of marasca cherries in spirit and dehydrated spices, with pepper and thyme upfront. The mouth is characterized by personality, notes of orange peel, rose, and laurel, extremely salty with excellent persistence.
FATTORIA NICOLUCCI
ROMAGNA SANGIOVESE SUPERIORE DOC RISERVA
PREDAPPIO DI PREDAPPIO VIGNA DEL GENERALE 2020
A timeless example of the type, with an incomparable savory kick, a nose of sour cherries, medicinal herbs, rosemary, and a balsamic closure with eucalyptus notes. Tense and dense on the palate, salty tannins, and a herbal return on the finish.
LE POTAZZINE
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO DOC 2021
Confirmation of a territorial vocation in this truly surprising, refined, and intense red. Raspberry, hints of ginseng and licorice root on the nose, salty tannins, a fruity-spicy return, and a great drinkable finish.
MONTEVERTINE
TOSCANA IGT
LE PERGOLE TORTE 2020
Perhaps the most famous Sangiovese-not-Chianti from the Classic area, an indescribably charming wine that has ushered in a season of renewal. Rich nose, marasca jam, hints of blood orange zest, eucalyptus, and salty-iodine notes on the palate, with a fruity-balsamic return.
VALLEPICCIOLA
TOSCANA ROSSO IGT
VALLEPICCIOLA 2020
An exceptional wine, one of the most refined results of Alessandro Cellai's reading skills. Nose with notes of blueberry jam, hints of laurel and undergrowth, with nuances of nutmeg and eucalyptus. Juicy and linear on the palate, salty, with a fruity-balsamic finish.
