2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
In 1716, the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici wanted Chianti officially marked on the map, and therefore obtained the first-ever legal boundary for a wine district. That zone, which stretches roughly from Florence to Siena, remains the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG today, encompassing eight villages. Unfortunately, for most of its history, there has been virtually no further specification within the Chianti Classico denomination to highlight the different village terroirs, much less the specific parcels within them.
Podere Campriano’s Riserva bottling comes from the commune of Greve in Chianti, and the specific parcel is surrounded by wild forest, but no authorized regional classification indicates this special site, such as you might find in the Côte d’Or or Barolo. Campriano does, however, give an unofficial hint on their label with the allusion to Balze di Montefioralle, which refers to the “cliffs of Montefioralle,” a small village overlooking the town of Greve in Chianti. After tasting this incredibly pure Sangiovese, you won’t forget the parcel’s proximity to woods: it is perennially Campriano’s bottling with the most irresistible and terroir reminiscent notes of earth and undergrowth. This will pair extremely well with a variety of dishes, but I recommend trying it with grilled chicken or steak, or a mushroom pasta.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sangiovese |
Appellation: | Chianti Classico Riserva |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Tuscany |
Producer: | Podere Campriano |
Winemaker: | Elena Lapini, Luca Polga |
Vineyard: | 14 years, 1.2 ha |
Soil: | Limestone |
Aging: | Aged 10-12 months in 4-5 year old oak barrels, then in stainless steel tanks 12-14 months |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | IGT Alta Valle della Greve
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | IGT Alta Valle della Greve
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Cuna Italy | Tuscany | IGT Toscana
Perhaps no region is tied to Italy’s reputation as a producer of fine wine as much as Tuscany. Since Etruscan times, viticulture has played a prominent role in this idyllic land of rolling hills, and the Tuscan winemaking tradition remains as strong as ever today. With a favorable Mediterranean climate, an undulating topography offering countless altitudes and expositions, and a wealth of poor, well-draining soils, conditions are ideal for crafting high-quality wines. Add to that the rich gastronomical tradition—Tuscany is home to some of the country’s finest game, pastas, salumi, and cheeses—and you have the blueprint for a world-class wine region.
This is Sangiovese territory; in fact, it is arguably the only place in the world where Sangiovese reaches a truly regal expression. In spite of a rocky history with fluctuations in quality, traditionally produced Chianti has reclaimed its status as one of the country’s most reliable, food-friendly reds, while the rapid rise of Brunello di Montalcino shows the grape’s potential for grandiose, opulent reds allying power and finesse. Traditionally-minded growers have stuck to using only indigenous grape varieties and employing techniques like aging in massive wooden casks known as botti, creating wines of terroir that shine at the Tuscan table.
Tuscan wines have had a place in our portfolio since Kermit’s first visit in 1977. While the names of the estates have changed, the spirit of those first unfiltered Chiantis he imported live on through our current selections.
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino
Sesti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | IGT Alta Valle della Greve
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Toscana IGT
Castagnoli Italy | Tuscany | IGT Toscana
Cuna Italy | Tuscany | IGT Toscana
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Castagnoli Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
For the wines that I buy I insist that the winemaker leave them whole, intact. I go into the cellars now and select specific barrels or cuvées, and I request that they be bottled without stripping them with filters or other devices. This means that many of our wines will arrive with a smudge of sediment and will throw a more important deposit as time goes by, It also means the wine will taste better.
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa