2016 TERRAZZE CHIANTI CLASSICO Riserva Castagnoli, Lea & Sandeman

TERRAZZE CHIANTI CLASSICO

2016 Riserva Castagnoli

IN STOCK
Grapes Sangiovese
Colour Red
Origin Italy, Tuscany
District Chianti
Sub-district Chianti Classico
ABV 14.5%

Grown in very hard-to-manage narrow terraces on a precipitous slope, with each vine on a pole, so everything has to be done by hand. Undoubtedly hideously hard work but the result is one of the most complete and refined wines in Chianti. Firm black cherry on the nose, a fullness and supple richness on the mid-palate. Full of fresh fruit notes. Juicy with wonderful acidity that drives on and on carrying the beautifully pert fruit lively to the end. Real pep and jolt. Blue, black and red berries up front, with hits of leather too and chew of dark toffee, then a burst of wonderful purple flowers and some fresh tobacco leaf. An enthralling horizontal freshness holds the attention and keeps you coming back for more. Superb, well laden Chianti with power and yet real grace and delicacy in the impressive length. L&S (Mar 2023)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The Riserva Terrazze pays homage to the ancient stone terraces of organically farmed Sangiovese bush vines that go into this wine. The exemplary ripeness of the 2016 vintage is clearly on display, with luscious prune and fig fruit that retains a sense of freshness and vibrancy, layered with spicy cassia, cardamom and roasted chestnut. The palate adds a meaty savouriness to the aromatics, overlaying fruit that is dense and compact on the front. The fruit quickly runs into a hard, contiguous wall of tannin blocking off the mid-palate, a result of the calcareous soils predominant here. The acidity is enlivening and bright throughout and despite the undeniable appeal of the fruit and aromatics, it is clear the wine would benefit from more time to resolve and coalesce structurally. Drinking range: 2026 - 2029 Rating: 91 Sarah Heller MW, Club Oenologique (Sept 2023)

Castagnoli

The first mention of Castagnoli was as early as the year 979, when it was an abbey. Centuries later it became the home of a noble Florentine family. The name recalls the previous existence of a chestnut forest.

The wines produced here are a true reflection of the hard work that has been undertaken by the current owners, the Shefernacker family, who are also wine producers in Württemberg. They have been pioneering in the appellation with their dedication to biodynamic cultivation. Today the estate extends to 13.5 hectares of vineyards and olive trees, planted on soils with a mix of galestro, loam, limestone and schist.

The vineyard was planted from 1978, and they decided to make narrow stone terraces on a steep south and south-westerly-facing slope. The Sangiovese vines were planted each supported by one stake, like the albarelli of Etna. The current generation may rue this choice as these terraces and the way of training the vines both entail an enormous amount of manual work. However, the quality of the 'Terrazze' Riserva is indisputable.

The cool, high terrain gives elegant, long-ripened Sangiovese, and although they have experimented with other varieties, it is this which really shines here.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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