2021 La Vigna di San Martino Chianti Classico Riserva

95 Points James Suckling
In stock
An expertly made boutique Chianti from the cooler north west of Chianti. Truly artisinal, this wine is very rare in retail anywhere in the world with less than 2000 bottles made each year! We know it exists because the winemaker is the accomplished Tuscan oenologist Giampaolo Chiettini, who was friends with John Caro years ago when they worked at the legendary Chianti house Isole e Olena. Grown on soils very similar to Felsina's vineyards in Berardenga, this cooler terroir in Argiano allows Chiettini to produce a wine of even greater elegance and inherent harmony. This rare wine sells for over $100 NZ in Australia! At this price it's an absolute must for fine wine lovers.
$54.99 in mixed 6+ or $61.99 per bottle

Grape

Sangiovese

Its Origins

The Vigna San Martino Chianti Classico is the project of oenologist Giampaolo Chiettini. Chiettini operates as a consultant oenologist in Tuscany, as well as throughout Italy and Europe. Trained in Trentino, Chiettini moved to Tuscany at a young age, where he spent many years working alongside Paolo De Marchi as winemaker at Isole e Olena, where he developed a profound understanding of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia del Chianti and Trebbiano. The Vigna San Martino is produced in miniscule quantities from a 1ha vineyard in Argiano, in the commune of San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the north-west of the Chianti Classico zone. The soil is a mixture of clay loam, stone fragments and sand, not unlike the soils of Berardenga in the south of Chianti Classico. The difference here is the cooler climate, producing more fragrant and tightly structured wines. The vineyard is at an altitude of 250 metres and is cultivated with organic methods. The vines are planted at a density of 5000 vines to the hectare, trained with the Guyot system. The ferments are carried out with wild yeasts and in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine is racked into used barriques where it ages for 18 months. The wine is not clarified and only undergoes a light filtration prior to bottling, then bottle aged for a further 30 months prior to release.

What The Critics Say

95/100 James Suckling.com, Stuart Pigott

"A remarkable Chianti classico riserva with deep blackberry, cassis, smoke and licorice notes plus a touch of pine forest. Concentrated and full-bodied, the compact fine tannins and lively acidity make this feel remarkably svelte for 14.5% alcohol. Very long finish that’s plush and bright. From a one-hectare property, therefore extremely limited production. Drink or hold."

17.5/20 JancisRobinson.com, Walter Speller

"Deep, lustrous ruby. Beautifully perfumed yet firm raspberry nose. Elegant and polished sour-cherry and raspberry palate with underlying sandy tannins. Great length and tension. San Casciano. 100% Sangiovese. (WS)." Drink 2024 - 2034

92/100 Decanter, Michaela Morris

"Launched with the 2017 vintage, this tiny venture unites agronomist Andrea Toccaceli and enologist Giampaolo Chiettini, who has worked alongside Isole e Olena’s Paolo di Marchi. The savoury nose boasts an intriguing friskiness of spicy herbs, brushwood and rhubarb. On the one hand, it's quite dense and chalky, yet with the supple fruit of San Casciano. This is solidly framed with firm tannins, and subtly nuanced by oak spice. Sapid acidity carries through saline, sundried tomato finish. Just 2,000 bottles produced." Drink 2025 - 2031

Variety Sangiovese
Region Tuscany
Closure Cork
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 14.50%
Maturity 2024 - 2034

This Wine Goes Well With

with GAME
with LAMB
with PORK

Taste

3

We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.

If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.

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