Montesodi Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva 2019 Cantine Frescobaldi

The Montesodi 2019 has a bright ruby ​​​​red color that attracts attention. The olfactory impact is exciting with fruity hints of red currant and wild strawberry, followed by floral, balsamic and spicy notes such as licorice and cloves. The sip is dynamic with a fresh minerality and a dense and slightly rough tannic texture typical of Sangiovese. This wine is complex and at the same time elegant and impressive. The finish is long and satisfying.

The Castello di Nipozzano is an extraordinary medieval stronghold in Tuscany, which embodies a long and fascinating history. Dating back to the year 1000, its function was to defend Florence from possible enemy incursions, thanks to its strategic position on the Chianti Rufina hills.

Property of the Marchesi Frescobaldi, the Castle of Nipozzano is a clear example of the Tuscan winemaking tradition. The name ""Nipozzano"" derives from the scarcity of water in the area, which however has proved to be ideal for the cultivation of vines. Already in the Renaissance, the wine produced in this area was highly appreciated, so much so that great artists such as Donatello and Michelozzo Michelozzi used to buy it.

Montesodi is an area within the estate that is particular and unique in its kind, thanks to the stony nature of the terrain. It is precisely from here that, in 1974, the first Sangiovese Cru of Castello Nipozzano originated. Since its creation, this red wine has been a masterpiece of extreme elegance and liveliness, capable of arousing intense and unforgettable emotions for many enthusiasts. Over the years, Montesodi Chianti Rufina DOCG has become a symbol of excellence and tradition of Castello Nipozzano, thanks to its unmistakable character and its ability to enchant the palate of the most demanding connoisseurs.

The climatic trend of the 2019 Montesodi Chianti Rufina DOCG vintage was characterized by a winter with long periods of sunshine and very low temperatures . Spring, on the other hand, was cool, and the rainfall provided good water reserves to face the hot summer days. The summer season was characterized by temperature variations which helped to provide refreshment during the night hours, above all thanks to the usual breezes coming from the slopes of the Apennines. The grapes were then accompanied as they ripened by a combination of warm sunshine and refreshing breezes. The bunches arrived at the harvest in perfect sanitary conditions, and the production expressed typical wines of the area, distinguished by good acidity and silky tannins

Vinification and maturation: the Montesodi vineyard is located at a altitude of 400 meters above sea level, on schist soils with a magnificent south-west exposure. The Sangiovese grapes from the Montesodi vineyard, after careful work in the vineyard, were harvested manually in 15 kg boxes. Further care and selection were carried out in the cellar; upon arrival, the grapes were carefully checked on a sorting table. Grape by grape, only the highest quality grapes were selected in terms of polyphenolic substances and grape health.

The 2019 harvest produced finely concentrated grapes, beautifully ripened and with a wonderful burst of freshness . Fermentations and macerations were regular. Malolactic fermentation took place immediately after racking. At the end of the year, the traditional Montesodi maturation process began in 30 hl Austrian and French oak barrels, where it remained for the following 18 months, until bottling. The following months of aging in the bottle allowed Frescobaldi's Montesodi Chianti Rufina DOCG  to express itself at its best in terms of elegance and potential.

Awards and Recognitions

• James Suckling 92/100
• Luigi Veronelli 92/100