Trere Lona Bona 2017
The outlier in the lineup, in that this will be the only wine not from Tuscany, Trere is in Romagna, the northernmost zone of Sangiovese production in Italy. Their Lona Bona is a fresh and fruity sipper, an easy and uncomplicated expression of Sangiovese. It is full of tart berry nuances and is the perfect complement to a cheesy pizza or a charcuterie platter.
I Fabbri Chianti Classico 'Lamole' 2017
There are few other wineries in the world that excite us as much as I Fabbri. Home to the highest vineyards in Chianti Classico, I Fabbri's vines enjoy great advantages in warm vintages such as 2017. I Fabbri's biodynamic approach in the vineyards and hands-off attitude in the winery routinely result in intense and complex renditions of Sangiovese, fresh and bright wines that bristle with tension. Their 2017 Chianti Classico 'Lamole' is exceptional, exhibiting gorgeous red fruit and floral aromas, as well as intriguing notions of fennel and mint. A little more supple and fruity than usual, it is still a classic style of Chianti Classico, with cutting acidity and a satin-textured grip of tannin. We love it. You can fall in love too.
Campi Nuovi Montecucco Riserva 2015
Daniele Rosselini is one of Tuscany's most sought after consultants, and his specialty is Sangiovese. When he discovered galestro, the soil of so many of Tuscany's most historic and celebrated vineyard sites, on a high windy hill in Montecucco (an underappreciated region with great potential), he knew what he had to do: plant some Sangiovese. Since 2000, he and his wife Nadia have grown organic grapes at Campi Nuovi, and this 2015 Riserva is a monument to their successes. A rich, powerful and resonant Sangiovese, it shows a wide spectrum of fruit flavors, from red berries to dark plums, with myriad notions of spice and subtle hints of soil and stones. It has plenty of tannin, but it is also plush and fresh, smooth and velvety, making for a relatively gentle approach to powerfully structured Sangiovese.
Isole e Olena Cepparello 2016
Back in the day, you couldn't make a pure Sangiovese and call it Chianti. In fact, you were required by law to add white grapes to your wine if you wanted to wear the Chianti badge. Absurd. I know. Paolo de Marchi was one of the first to do something about the situation, producing his world-famous 100% Sangiovese, Cepparello, from some of the most privileged vines in Chianti Classico, and eschewing the Chianti Classico designation. To this day, though it could now be labeled as Chianti Classico DOCG, Cepparello is bottled as a Toscana IGT. In any vintage, Cepparello is worth your attention. It is one of the most celebrated wines of Italy and it's a beautiful expression of grape and place. The 2016 vintage, however, is going to be something extra special. We can't wait to try it with you guys tomorrow!