Tasting notes, Tuscan sensations; April 29, 2023

                 Tuscany

2021 Le Calcinaie Vernaccia
$22.99 /
Case Price $18.40
San Gimignano / Tuscany / Italy
100% Vernaccia
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, Calcinaie’s Vernaccia is sourced from a 15-acre parcel just outside the town of San Gimignano. The vineyard is farmed organically having been planted mostly in the late 1980’s.  
2016 Pagliarese Chianti Classico
On sale for $17.99
Castelnuovo Berardenga / Chianti Classico / Italy
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Mammolo
Sourced from 30 year-old vines planted in a variety of soils including sandstone and alluvial pebbles, Pagliarese is aged for 12 months in large, neutral oak barrels. This is a prime example of the beauty of an aged Chianti Classico.
2019 Terreno Chianti Classico
On Sale for $23.99
Greve / Chianti Classico / Italy
100% Sangiovese
Only 3,000 cases of this unfined, unfiltered Chianti Classico are produced. The wine is fermented in stainless steel prior to 14 months in large oak casks. Blended from three separate parcels, this is a fruit leading, well balanced Sangiovese.
2018 Pino Rosso
$35.99 /
Case Price $28.80
Montalcino / Tuscany / Italy
100% Sangiovese
Rosso di Montalcino is typically released very young and often can be a bit tight early on. Fatorria del Pino releases their Rosso later allowing for Sangiovese to soften and reveal its charm. The 2018 is perfectly mature, though it should hold and offer even greater depth with a few years cellaring.
2018 Casanova di Neri
Brunello di Montalcino
On sale for $69.99
Montalcino / Tuscany / Italy
100% Sangiovese
Aged for 42 months in barrel prior to an additional 6 months in bottle, the 2018 Casanova di Neri Brunello is a modern styled wine built around dark red fruit and moderate acidity. The 2018’s from this heralded village are relatively accessible today.
2018 Felsina Fontalloro
On sale for $50
Castelnuovo Berardenga / Chianti Classico / Italy
100% Sangiovese
First produced in the 1983 vintage, Fontalloro is intended as the highest expression of Sangiovese from Felsina. The vineyards employed are split between Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi. The 2018 is a delight.