2019 Tenuta di Carleone 'Il Guercio' Sangiovese

Place: Tuscany, Italy

Variety: Sangiovese

Farming: Organic

Tenuta Carleone di Castiglioni was first mentioned in the 1078 when it was founded by monks (thank God for monks) and is named for the village of Castiglioni meaning ‘small castle’. It’s a verdant paradise of wooded hills, rivers, fertile plains, olive groves and, of course, vines. Winemaker Sean crafts Sangiovese with an appreciation of the practices of the past and an eye (one eye in Sean's case, hence Il Guercio meaning one-eyed rascal) on the ever changing environment and how that should influenced vineyard management. As such, he employs organic and biodynamic practices with no additions at any stage.

From a single vineyard in Chianti without the official stamp. Picked late for maximum ripeness. Such purity of fruit here. Cherry and a sweet/savoury play of balsamic and oregano. Elegant, powerful and poised. In Sean's words: 'Every vintage defines itself! The wine is gently pushed in the right direction, urging it to find its own character. Natural ferments, crushed softly with feet and bottled with as little sulphur as possible. While drinking, close an eye and contemplate life from a different angle'.