CASTELLINUZZA & PIUCA

Tuscany - Chianti Classico

http://www.castellinuzzaepiuca.it

 

At 600 mts asl Lamole is the highest-altitude vine site in the Chianti Docg region. Here, in a spectacular landscape of untouched wilderness and enchanting beauty, a very special clone of Sangiovese keeps thriving apart from the rest of the huge 'Sangiovese family'...the prized and uber-floral 'Sangiovese di Lamole' (always worth remembering that Sangiovese is more a family of grapes than a single, stable and consistent varety, pretty much as the 'Pinot family' or 'Lambrusco family' or 'Muscat family').

 

At these high quotas Sangiovese di Lamole planted on rocky 'Galestro' soil (a mix of weathered shale, clay and limestone) transforms itself into a kind of 'Pinot Noir of the South', delivering medium-bodied reds with cristalline color and silky perfumes of red/blue flowers and ripe agrumes. Only a handful of brave growers keep tending vines and making wine in these remote high hills, where no mechanization is possible due to the steepnes and stoniness of the vineyard land. Among them, the Coccia family of Castellinuzza & Piuca. A third-generation domaine, Castellinuzza & Piuca is a father-and-son operation. Simone Coccia and his father Giuliano attend to all activities in both the vineyards and the cellar. They make two wines only, an impeccable, radiant Chianti Classico Docg (for the pure joy of drinking and washing down good, hearty Tuscan food...no need of the extra-oak and price premium for a Riserva version...), and a Toscana Igt Sangiovese meant as an everyday, house wine. This is to concentrate all the better fruit grown in their 4 Ha vineyard in two bottlings only, instead of diluting the quality in more bottlings / wines of lesser quality.

 

 

Chianti Classico from Lamole has long been praised for its delicate finesse and radiant fragrance, thanks to a unique terroir that is a mix of intense luminosity in the air, cool nights and rocky soil. Castellinuzza & Piuca offers a bright, unadulterated rendition of the Lamole terroir as well as the Lamole Sangiovese. Simone Coccia and his father Giuliano pursue an all-natural, minimally intrusive winemaking that was inspired by recognized masters of authentic Sangiovese winemaking such as Soldera, Montevertine, Castell'in Villa and Giulio Gambelli. Their subscribing to this illustrious school of traditional winemaking is evident in the wines! 

 

 

 

Wines

Toscana Igt Sangiovese

Chianti Classico Docg