2019 Casanuova Di Nittardi 'Vigna Doghessa' Chianti Classico

This wine is made by one of Italy’s most celebrated winemakers. The Canali Femfert family, who took over the historical Nittardi property in 1981, brought on consultant winemaker Carlo Ferrini in the early 90s. Ferrini earned the title Enologist of the Year by both the Associazione Italiana Sommelier in 2003 and Gambero Rosso in 2000. In 2008, Wine Enthusiast proclaimed him Winemaker of the Year. Ferrini supervises all the vineyards and winemaking at Nittardi.

In the introductory speech given before presenting Ferrini with his Wine Enthusiast award, it was noted that although he works with many of Italy’s most renowned estates—he also works with renowned estates such as Mazzei's Fonterutoli, San Leonardo, Brancaia, Brolio, and Poliziano—he never loses sight of “the individual characteristics of a specific region, a specific territory, or a specific vineyard.” 

For the Vigna Doghessa, a 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico, Ferrini chooses grapes from the organic Castellina vineyard on a south-facing hill in Siena. His winemaking skills allow him to pull out the minerality and freshness that the soil full of schist stones imbues in the wine. Its intense fruit character has the tell-tale cherry of a Chianti, plus exotic spice. It’s a beautiful wine with an excellent tannic structure that ensures it will age gracefully.

A little history about the estate that we’d be remiss if we didn’t pass on: Michaelangelo owned it and lived there while finishing the Sistine Chapel. He sent wine from the estate yearly to the Pope. Because of the property's connection to the Renaissance artist, Nattardi pays homage to Michelangelo by having internationally recognized artists such as Hundertwasser, Yoko Ono, Günter Grass, and Dario Fo create the label and wrapping paper for this wine. 2019’s artist is Fabrizio Plessi, a contemporary artist who has exhibited all over the world.

Aging: 14 months in new (10%) and used French oak barrels (500 liters), 4 months in concrete vat, and a few months in the bottle.

Tasting Notes: 100% Sangiovese. Purple red color. Intense ripe cherries and blackberries with exotic spices and well-integrated oak. Juicy and elegant with a tannic backbone that gives length to the wine and will make it age gracefully.