Montecalvi Chianti Classico

Wine has been made at Montecalvi since the 1400s. Montecalvi was for centuries part of the Castello di'Uzzano estate, at one time owned by Niccolo da Uzzano, a Florentine politician in the Medici era, and latterly owned by Don Briano Carlo Maria Castelbarco-Albani Visconti Simonetta dei principi di Montignano (the Count Castelbarco). It was farmed throughout this period according to the mezzadria system, by which local farmers farmed the estate for, and shared the year's harvest with the castello.

Montecalvi became an independent estate in the 1980s and is now owned by the Drake family, owners of Collalto in the Adelaide Hills region of Australia. They have set about upgrading and updating the vineyards, restoring the old vines (they have one of oldest vines in Tuscany, planted in 1932) and replanting with indigenous Italian varieties. The winery is now a certified organic estate and all that they do with an eye towards sustainable farming in the vineyard and making wines (and olive oil) that are the best reflection of their particular place in our particular part of Tuscany.

The vineyards are among the finest in the Chianti Classico area, on sandstone/ clay soil at an altitude at 250 m above sea level and with ideal south/ south-east/ south-west exposures. Montecalvi farm their vineyards (and all of their estate) organically and sustainably.

The estate is 10 hectares, with about four hectares under vine (and half a hectare under olives).

Whilst the main focus is on Sangiovese, Montecalvi dedicate the same amount of care to the other varieties and all are harvested, fermented and aged separately. In this way the distinct character of each variety is nurtured so that, when they finally make the blends, they become much more than the sum of their parts.

It is Montecalvi's intimate size that lies behind the success of their wines. They know their vineyards like the back of their hands, helping them to tend to each, row by row, vine by vine, bunch by bunch. By the time harvest comes around, the grapes arriving in their cellar are the very best that the year can bring.

Vineyards

The vineyards are among the finest in the Chianti Classico area, on sandstone/ clay soil at an altitude at 250 m above sea level and with ideal south/ south-east/ south-west exposures. Montecalvi farm their vineyards (and all of their estate) organically and sustainably.

Vinification

This wine is made from Sangiovese complemented by a touch of Canaiolo and Canina Nera. This wine sees around 30 days in stainless steel tank, 18 months in French oak tonneaux and six months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes

The Montecalvi is a true Chianti Classico, the likes of which we haven't tasted in a while, pulpy and juicy but with an evident backbone, earthy and savoury.

Aromatic with black cherry and plum notes on the nose as well as a dusty, spicy, savoury edge. Very Sangiovese in character. The palate is fresh, fine and quite elegant, but not lacking in flavour. There's a brightness to the red cherry and plum fruit with a twist of sour cherry and damson, and a nice assertive but well integrated tannic structure and some fresh acidity. This is elegant, refined and also has a briskness and compactness to it. Expect this to age well over 5-10 years.

Sangiovese, Canina, Canaiolo

The vineyards are among the finest in the Chianti Classico area, on sandstone/ clay soil at an altitude at 250 m above sea level and with ideal south/ south-east/ south-west exposures. Montecalvi farm their vineyards (and all of their estate) organically and sustainably.

This wine is made from Sangiovese complemented by a touch of Canaiolo and Canina Nera. This wine sees around 30 days in stainless steel tank, 18 months in French oak tonneaux and six months in bottle prior to release.

The Montecalvi is a true Chianti Classico, the likes of which we haven't tasted in a while, pulpy and juicy but with an evident backbone, earthy and savoury.

Aromatic with black cherry and plum notes on the nose as well as a dusty, spicy, savoury edge. Very Sangiovese in character. The palate is fresh, fine and quite elegant, but not lacking in flavour. There's a brightness to the red cherry and plum fruit with a twist of sour cherry and damson, and a nice assertive but well integrated tannic structure and some fresh acidity. This is elegant, refined and also has a briskness and compactness to it. Expect this to age well over 5-10 years.

Spaghetti and meatballs are the perfect accompaniment, Lasagne, Chicken Parmesan, Pizza, and Bruschetta.