Winery of the Month – APR 2015
Villa Calcinala
The Villa Calcinaia has been home to the Cappone family since 1524. Today Sebastiano Cappone maintains the estate as the first member of the Family to personally oversee the agricultural pursuits of the Villa. Prior to this the vineyards and olive groves were part of the mezzadria and share cropping systems that characterized Tuscany until the late 70’s. Because of his management there has been an appreciable increase in quality
Great wine tends to come from complicated soils and here is no different as the many tributaries of the Greve River have deposited some grey clay in some spots, sandstone in others and sand as you get closer to the river. The properties’ wholly organically farmed 75 acres sit on the left bank of the Greve on predominately calcerous clay soil from the Eocene period with some schist subsoils at higher elevation. Each of the parcels is handled differently with differing trellising systems, picking dates and vinification methods. Vinification is carried out in a blend of cement and stainless steel. The wines are aged in a combination of French and Slavonian oak.
Chianti Classico
This is a classic version of Chianti with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Medium bodied with flavors of cherry, plum, cedar and tobacco.
Vigna Bastignano Gran Selezione
Here we have a single vineyard wine composed totally of Sangiovese. The wine spends 30 months in Slavonian Oak followed by 6 months in bottle before release. A medium body with plenty of acid and a soft tannic backbone. Red fruit flavors mix well with vanilla and soft chocolate and coffee notes.
Cappone Chianti Clasico
This hand harvested wine is composed of 100% Sangiovese. Here you will find red cherry and cranberry fruit flavors along with some fruit jam. Underneath the fruit is a nice medium body with soft tannins and a vibrant acidity.
Casarsa
This is a great expression of Merlot, dense and chewy with mainly cherry and cassis fruit with baking spice notes. The wine shows some oak influence from the 18 months that it spends in oak barrels yet the acidity keeps the wine lively.