Castello Di Monsanto Chianti Classico Annata 2015

SKU
MOCC201512 UCAU
  • Vinified in stainless steel tanks for about 18 days and then aged 12 months in 50 hl barrels of Slavonia oak.
  • Drinking incredibly well right now.
  • Sourced from a phenomenal private cellar.
  • 1 or more bottles
    $53.99
Add to Wish List
Black Card Get free freight and more when you’re a member of The Black Card Club. Learn More
Need expert help?
Chat with our Cellar Angel team
Call Us
  • James Suckling
    96 points

Editors notes

Castello di Monsanto is a wine producer based in the Chianti Classico DOCG zone. In 1962, it produced its inaugural Chianti Classico, the Riserva Il Poggio, a Sangiovese-based blend with small amounts of Canaiolo and Colorino.

Details

Critic Scores & reviews

  • James Suckling

    96
    "Aromas of plums, cherries and hints of green olives. White truffles and deep earth, too. Full-bodied, so layered and beautiful with a fabulous texture and ripe tannins. It is so pure and minimalist in the end, showing the effect of traditional, hands-off winemaking. Don't miss this. Decant before serving. One for the cellar."

Other vintages

Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.

There are no other vintages found.

Current auction

All current auctions for this wine & any different vintages.

Locations

Italy

Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.

The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.

Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.

Tuscany

Tuscany is the oldest wine region in Italy, with a long history dating back over 2700 years. The region is on the Western coast of Italy, stretching from the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way to the Apennine mountains, with the majority of the region being quite hilly.

Contributing to around 6% of Italy's total wine output, Tuscany is the third most planted region, but only the eight biggest producer. Much of this can be attributed to the hilly terroir and poor soils leading to lower yields, but generally higher quality wines. The region produces far more red than white wine, and is responsible for two of the most famous Italian red wines, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.

Chianti was first classified in 1716, and the region of Tuscany now has 29 DOC and 7 DOCG classifications. In the 1970s 'Super Tuscan' wines emerged of supreme quality, commanding very high prices. Although they were initially produced outside the DOC or DOCG zones, most of the regions have since been classified, though some producers still opt to use the simpler and less restrictive IGT labelling.

The famous red wine Chianti is based on the the Sangiovese variety, though is most commonly blended with Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. The blending of multiple grapes is common, even Bordeaux blends can be found. White wines produced include Vermentino, Vernaccia, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.

About the brand Castello Di Monsanto

Castello di Monsanto is a renowned winery that was established back in 1962. The winery's property spans roughly 25 hectares of vineyards, located in the Chianti Colli Senesi region. One of the remarkable features of the estate is its high density of vines, which boasts an impressive 5,000 to 5,500 plants per hectare.

At the heart of the Castello di Monsanto vineyards is the "mother" of all the vineyards, known as "Il Poggio." Here, a mass selection of Sangiovese clones is found, which has contributed to the winery's reputation for producing high-quality wines. The Sangiovese clones are carefully tended to by the winery's skilled staff, who utilize traditional winemaking techniques to ensure that the grapes are of the highest quality.

In addition to the Sangiovese clones, two historic vines of the Chianti Classico grape blend, namely Canaiolo and Colorino, are also grown within the estate. These vines are crucial to the winemaking process at Castello di Monsanto and play a vital role in producing the winery's signature wines.

Overall, the winery's commitment to quality and tradition has made it a favorite among wine enthusiasts worldwide. With its rich history and dedication to excellence, Castello di Monsanto remains a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates exceptional wine.

You May Also Like

Customer Reviews

Write Your Own Review
You're reviewing:Castello Di Monsanto Chianti Classico Annata 2015
Your Rating

Never want to miss out? Allow Notifications to hear more from us

Remind me later

Thank you! Please check your email inbox to confirm.

Oops! Notifications are disabled.