Castello di Meleto “Vigna Casi” Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Single vineyard Chianti Classico, sourced from their Casi Vineyard.
- Located in the valley below the medieval village of Vertine at an altitude of 420 meters, Casi is surrounded by wooded land, ensuring the temperate climate of this vineyard.
- Original plantings began in 1998, Sangiovese, cultivated using the traditional alberello vine training method, is the main variety planted here and finds the combined conditions of hot soil and cool climate, ideal. The soils of Casi consist of clay, sandstone, and galestro.
Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
Elaboration: Grapes are harvested by hand after selection in the vineyard. Stems are removed and grapes are soft pressed. The must obtained undergoes spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in 53 Hl wooden casks. Once the fermentation is complete, the wine remains in contact with the skins for 20-25 days before it is introduced into wood vats for malolactic fermentation. 50% of the wine ages for 18 months in Slavonian oak barrels. The remaining 50% is aged in barriques of second or third use. Minimum 6 months of bottle aging before release.
Tasting Notes: Brilliant deep red, developing garnet hues with aging. Attractive aromas of violet, cherries and berries matched with pleasant spiced notes. Round and velvety, very elegant, sustained by dense but non-aggressive tannins. Long and intense finish.
PRESS
2013 – 93 Vinous
2015 – 92 James Suckling | 92 Wine Advocate | 93 Wine Spectator | 95 Decanter World Wine Awards “Gold”
2016 – 90 Vinous | 92 James Suckling | 94 Wine Spectator
2017 – 93 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Castello di Meleto produces wines exclusively from estate-owned grapes. 70% of the grapes are harvested by hand, a choice influenced by two factors: the slope of land that at points reaches extreme levels and the commitment to selecting only the best fruit. With vineyards extending over 160 hectares, only the best grapes are selected for the wines bearing the Castello di Meleto brand. The bunches destined for these flagship wines undergo a rigorous first and second selection: the first in the vineyard at the time of harvest and the second on the sorting table, where each bunch is manually checked by expert operators. Perfectly healthy grapes allow for reduced sulfur dioxide use and spontaneous fermentation, triggered by indigenous yeasts present on the grapes. This reflects Castello di Meleto’s commitment to respecting the work carried out in the vineyard and minimally intervening in the cellar.