Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico DOCG
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Castello di Meleto is one of the top names in the Chianti zone of Gaiole, and this, their flagship Chianti Classico, is a blend of three separate plots on the property – Meleto, Poggiarso, and Casi.
Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
Elaboration: Grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed and gently crushed before undergoing spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 25/28°C for a period of 15 to 20 days. After racking, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks. The wine then ages for 15 months in 54 hl Slavonian oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red. Marked notes of cherry, typical of the grape, with hints of floral and spice. Velvety, enveloping palate with rounded tannins. Good structure with an excellent balance and long full finish.
PRESS
2015 – 90 Vinous | 92 Wine Spectator
2016 – 92 Wine Spectator
2017 – 90 Wine Spectator | 91 James Suckling
2018 – 91 James Suckling | 92 Vinous
2020 – 90 Vinous
2021 – 93 Wine Spectator | 91 Vinous | 91 James Suckling | 90 Jeb Dunnuck
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.