2017 Le Chiuse Rosso di Montalcino

Le Chiuse played a key role in the vineyard holdings of the legendary Biondi-Santi family since the late 18th century. Handed down, generation-to-generation the current owner, Simonetta Valiani is the great-granddaughter of Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. Simonetta inherited the estate and decided to start producing wine under the Le Chiuse name in 1993 with the help of her husband, Nicolò Magnelli, and their son, Lorenzo. Until then, the vineyards were rented to her uncle, Franco Biondi-Santi, which were at the time used for Biondi-Santi’s Riserva bottling.

The vineyards are planted with a form of Massal selection in order to maintain the genetic heritage of the estate. Budwood from 60-70-year-old vines of Sangiovese, personally selected by Tancredi Biondi-Santi for these vineyards, is grafted onto American rootstock. To maintain the highest quality, yields are carefully controlled. The yields here are half that demanded by Consorzio rules. The winery’s gravity-fed cellars are state-of-the-art. 

This 100% Sangiovese Grosso is planted to one hectare of 60, 70-year-old vines. The grapes are harvest by hand the first week of October. They are then crushed and transferred to tank only using gravity. They endure a 15-day maceration/fermentation period with frequent punch-downs during the first week to promote extraction. The wine is then racked 2 to 3 times until March when it is transferred to oak. It is then aged 3-4 months in Allier and Slavonian botte. 5% of free-run juice is removed to elevate concentration.

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Bright garnet red in color. It has an intense persistent fragrance, pure and full-bodied. Various fragrances can be recognized, from forest fruits to light vanilla light up the nose. On the palate, the wine is smooth and elegant, dry with excellent persistence.