A superb Chianti with very attractive cedar and spice on the nose, with lifted, perfumed notes. Flavours of coffee and dark chocolate with a subtle tar character and a long supple finish.

A large estate, with 180 hectares of immaculately maintained vineyards in Castelnuovo Berardenga, which lies adjacent to its sister property Villa la Pagliaia. The wines at both are made by Leonardo Bellacini, a master of the 'non interventionist' approach, giving classic expressions of high quality Sangiovese, restrained and complex and with great balance and depth. The secret lies in high quality grapes from exceptional vineyards, driven by an intensive research programme, in particular by selection of the best naturally occuring clones. The resulting wines are understated but satisfying, unencumbered by new oak, Cabernet or flashy winemaking.

Grapes were sourced from the Castelnuovo, Berardenga and Siena properties - 350 to 400 metres above sea level. 8 - 10 days fermentation on the skins, followed by malolactic fermentation in steel. Maturation in large Slavonian oak botti for 10 - 12 months.