2021 SancerreDaniel Chotard
France | Loire
$39
Producers
When asked about their approach to winemaking, brothers Alessandro and Andrea Boscu will tell you they keep it “as simple as possible.” And if you’re familiar with their house style––classic, terroir-driven, versatile— that philosophy checks out. But simple wouldn’t be possible without raw talent and impeccable ingredients. It helps that they are passionate about organic viticulture, that they farm grapes in one of the most celebrated parts of Tuscany, and are privy to a family history of traditional winemaking that dates back to the 16th century.
“Bandinello,” an ancestor’s namesake, is a hearty Tuscan red that blends young Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and Syrah from the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. Where fruit from older vines is reserved for Chianti bottlings that will spend at least two years in the cellar softening around the edges, the juice for this cuvée is bottled with immediate pleasure in mind after six brief months in oak casks. It’s a youthful wine that’s vibrant and vigorous and delivers on their modest promise of simplicity. A decanted bottle in my house reminded me of black fruit, olive, and sage and paired beautifully with grilled fennel sausage and white beans. And while this provincial red aims to favor rusticity over charm, it turns out the two are not mutually exclusive. “Bandinello” is among the most perfect country wines we carry on our shelves.
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 60% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, 20% Syrah |
Appellation: | Toscana IGT |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Tuscany |
Producer: | Villa di Geggiano |
Winemaker: | Andrea & Alessandro Boscu Bianchi Bandinelli |
Vineyard: | 4 - 20 years |
Soil: | Clay and Limestone and Silt with Galestro rocks |
Aging: | Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel lasts about 15 days, wine ages for six months in 500-L French oak barrels (10% new), and then in bottle for another three months before release |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Toscana IGT
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Sesti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
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.
Sesti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Toscana IGT
Sesti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany | Rosso di Montalcino
Ferretti Italy | Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Podere Campriano Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico
Castagnoli Italy | Tuscany
Cuna Italy | Tuscany | IGT Toscana
Castagnoli Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236
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