Chianti Classico, Baron Ugo, 2017

Intense and savoury. Gripping, sapid and salty with a hint of pine resin and cedary wood. It comes into its own with some food and softens and becomes a little fruitier with air - notes of wild dark plum and cherry fruit coming through on the sun kissed finish. A wine of huge character and purity – it transports you directly to Chianti Classico’s cypress tree-adorned hills. The same blend and vinification as Campitello (90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino) yet such a different wine. At 570 meters above sea level this South East-facing vineyard is the highest on the Monteraponi estate, indeed one of the very highest in Chianti Classico. The soils are intensely rocky and poor - this is pure hard limestone, known locally as Albarese. Often made as a Riserva and aged for 36 months in Slavonian oak casks, but labelled as an IGT, in some vintage Monteraponi decide to shorten the élevage by a few months and release as a single vineyard non-riserva Chianti Classico. As is the case with the 2017.