Castello di Meleto Vigna Casi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The grapes for this wine come from the Meleto subzone, sourced from their Casi Vineyard.
- The soil composition for the vineyard is Clay, Alberese (a compact stone, varied in size, and remains unaffected by weather conditions), and Galestro (a brittle stone that releases precious mineral elements for the plant into the soi).
Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
Elaboration: After spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in wood, a period of maceration on the skins follows with malolactic fermentation taking place in cement tanks. 50% of the wine ages for 18 months in Slavonian oak barrels while the other 50% ages in barriques of second and third usage.
Tasting Notes: Ruby red with increasing garnet hues due to ageing. Alluring aromas of violet, cherry and berries, combined with pleasant spicy notes. Round and velvety. Very elegant and supported by thick and smooth tannins. Persistent and intense on the finish.
PRESS
2018 – 92 James Suckling | 92 Wine Enthusiast
2019 – 94 Wine Advocate | 92 James Suckling
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.