BigHammerWines.com

The Siepi vineyard, owned by Mazzei family since 1435, has always been a model farm, still managed today with the same kind of respect. Due to its unique location, a special microclimate, and the foresight in the early 1980s to plant Merlot to complement Sangiovese, Siepi has produced wine that is perfectly balanced between elegance, power, and complexity.

"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." -Gustav Mahler. The Mazzei family has been carrying the torch since 1435 and has a history of producing award-winning wine since its inception. The family's Castello di Fonterutoli Estate was one of the first to produce the best-selling Italian wine, Chianti Classico. Twenty-four generations later, through excellence and tradition, they remain one of the premier estates throughout all of Italy. 

For 26 generations, the Mazzei family has been producing benchmark Italian wines from their historic Castello di Fonterutoli estate in Tuscany and more recently in the Maremma, Sicily, and the Veneto. The passion, commitment, and expertise that goes into these expressive wines are a reflection of the Mazzei’s spirit of innovation and respect for each property’s unique terroir.

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new), barriques (Merlot), tonneaux (Sangiovese), followed by four months in concrete tanks.

Made from equal parts Merlot and Sangiovese, intense aromas of graphite, blackberries, and violets, intertwined with subtle notes of tar and asphalt. The full-bodied palate is rich yet creamy, with a crunchy texture that delivers vibrant energy and impressive length. Sweet red fruits like strawberry, raspberry, and plum shine through, lifted by fresh acidity that adds a mouthwatering quality. Tannins are fine yet firm, providing a seamless structure to this complex, youthful wine. Will age beautifully for decades to come.

Graphite and lead pencil is coming through, together with violets and blackberries. Some tar and asphalt, too. Full-bodied, yet creamy and crunchy, with agile liveliness that goes on for minutes. Fabulous length. Drinkable already, but will age gracefully for decades. ~98 James Suckling

Dried herbs and sweet spices on the nose, forest notes with bramble fruits, concentrated and expressive. Such a smooth delivery on the palate, tannins glide across the tongue giving the sweet strawberry, raspberry and plum fruit time to expand in the mouth as the acidity gives a mouthwatering aspect. This is very much on the lively and vibrant fruit - shouting loudly about its energy. Feels extremely well made, clear definition, finesse and balance. Such a gorgeous fruit profile, the high-toned strawberry and cherry, bright and piercing, yet also round and generous with tobacco and wood nuances. Ample tannins are fine but present, giving support. All round an exceptionally beautiful wine. I love this. Giving such immediate and youthful enjoyment but this will continue to age well. Ageing 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new), barriques (Merlot), tonneaux (Sangiovese), followed by four months in concrete tanks. ~98 Decanter

The 2020 Siepi is classy, elegant and super-polished. Inky blue fruit, lavender, new leather, cloves and mocha all meld together effortlessly. There is a sense of precision in the 2020 that is incredibly inviting. Even so, the 2020 is very young and not fully expressing its potential. This just needs time to emerge, but all the elements are there. ~96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The nose balances dense, fiery aromas of grilled meat, pepper and gunpowder with lighter, friendlier notes of cherries and wild berries. The berries take a leading role on the palate, but the spicy smokiness lingers as an assertive undertone, leading into a hot finish. Tannins have grit without being rustic, emphasizing a saliva-inducing savoriness throughout. ~96 Wine Enthusiast

Equal parts Merlot and Sangiovese, the Mazzei 2020 Siepi is a terrific vintage in a long line of wines that I had the pleasure of tasting through last year in a complete retrospective. The first vintage produced was 1992. The soils in the Siepi vineyard are especially deep, and the site is surrounded by forests to keep it cool. These conditions give rise to abundant aromas of sweet black cherry, underbrush and blue wild flower. This is a medium to full-bodied Tuscan red that shows enormous elegance and depth. ~95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of This Wine***