Acclaim

“This is a tasty and mellow red, showing an array of sour cherries, mushrooms, nutmeg and white pepper on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with nicely integrated tannins and a tasty, spicy finish. Drink now or hold.” -James Suckling, Sept. 2023

“I love the licorice and herbal aromas here, alongside chocolate cherries and plums. Hints of vanilla and praline, too. It’s creamy, lightly chewy and full-bodied, with berry-soaked tannins and a long and deliciously mellow finish. Pulls you back for more. Drink or hold.” -James Suckling, Sept. 2023

“This organic wine has recently been elevated to Gran Selezione status. The Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montaperto (with 4,000 bottles set to hit the market in 2024) sees fruit from a higher elevation site in Castelnuovo Berardenga with limestone soils and lots of rocks for good water drainage. The effect here is light and more floral in character with wild fruit, lilac root and rose. The tannins are polished and silky, giving this wine good length.Gioia Cresti is very proud of her family’s historic roots in the lovely city of Siena. She is a hometown woman to full effect, even rooting for her local contrada in the celebrated Palio di Siena horse race. Her property in Castelnuovo Berardenga (not too far from the Siena city limits) was part of her family’s patrimony, but she created the winemaking program at Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino. Two of her wines, from the Dofana and Montaperto vineyards respectively, were elevated to Chianti Classico Gran Selezione status in 2018. Gioia also sent me her 2018 Do Ut Des (a blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot), but I already reviewed that wine earlier this year. In other news, Gioia has a new vineyard site in Gaiole in Chianti that will be harvested for the first time this year.” – Monica Larner, Wind Advocate, Sept. 2023

“This pretty Sangiovese has now been elevated to the highest category in the appellation, and because the wine is set to go on sale in 2024, its suggested retail price is not yet available. The certified organic Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Dofana offers balanced richness. This vineyard site has dense clay soils and sunny southeast exposures and makes structured and concentrated wines. This vintage offers lots of dark fruit and light spice, but there are pretty mineral and cola nuances as well that add vertical lift to the bouquet. The Vigna Dofana is suitable for robust meat and pasta pairings. Production is 3,800 bottles.Gioia Cresti is very proud of her family’s historic roots in the lovely city of Siena. She is a hometown woman to full effect, even rooting for her local contrada in the celebrated Palio di Siena horse race. Her property in Castelnuovo Berardenga (not too far from the Siena city limits) was part of her family’s patrimony, but she created the winemaking program at Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino. Two of her wines, from the Dofana and Montaperto vineyards respectively, were elevated to Chianti Classico Gran Selezione status in 2018. Gioia also sent me her 2018 Do Ut Des (a blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot), but I already reviewed that wine earlier this year. In other news, Gioia has a new vineyard site in Gaiole in Chianti that will be harvested for the first time this year.” – Monica Larner, Wind Advocate, Sept. 2023

“The organic 2021 Chianti Classico Fontalpino is 100% Sangiovese that starts off in neutral cement and stainless steel and finishes in tonneaux for 12 months of aging. Fruit is sourced from across three sites, totaling 20 hectares of vines, with sandy and loamy limestone-based soils in warm Castelnuovo Berardenga. This is a terrific value bottle with dark cherry and fruit that is amply framed by earthy sensations and a hint of toasted nut. This release of 40,000 bottles will hit the market in winter 2023.Gioia Cresti is very proud of her family’s historic roots in the lovely city of Siena. She is a hometown woman to full effect, even rooting for her local contrada in the celebrated Palio di Siena horse race. Her property in Castelnuovo Berardenga (not too far from the Siena city limits) was part of her family’s patrimony, but she created the winemaking program at Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino. Two of her wines, from the Dofana and Montaperto vineyards respectively, were elevated to Chianti Classico Gran Selezione status in 2018. Gioia also sent me her 2018 Do Ut Des (a blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot), but I already reviewed that wine earlier this year. In other news, Gioia has a new vineyard site in Gaiole in Chianti that will be harvested for the first time this year.” – Monica Larner, Wind Advocate, Sept. 2023

“Fresh, nimble red berries and red cherries with chalk, white sesame and a nice peppery edge. Quite vertical on the medium-bodied palate, with fresh, assertive tannins that develop and grow on the palate, giving an austere and chalky grip at the end. Elegant but super-structured, with lovely clarity. Drink from 2024.” – James Suckling

I love the licorice and herbal aromas here, alongside chocolate cherries and plums. Hints of vanilla and praline, too. It’s creamy, lightly chewy and full-bodied, with berry-soaked tannins and a long and deliciously mellow finish. Pulls you back for more. Drink or hold.

This wine represents a historic joint venture between Tuscan producer Castello di Querceto and importer Empson USA. The 2019 Cignale is a richly concentrated blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon complemented with 10% Merlot that ages in French oak for 18 months. This wine offers plenty of black fruit, blackberry, soft spice and tobacco. The wine’s flavor profile shows the pretty intensity and balance that this vintage is known for. This is a 10,000-bottle production.