Rising: Viticcio Chianti Riserva 2007

~ Bottles stacked and aging in Viticcio's Cantina ~

"The farmer ploughed the land and the soil started beating with his heart."

Fattoria Viticcio lies in Greve in Chianti - an estate and working farm that extends for 60 hectares about 30 of which are planted to organically farmed wine grapes. Alessandro Landini runs the estate with his wife and three daughters.  Quality has been steadily improving over the past 8 years and beginning with the 2009 harvest, Landini has retained the renowned Franco Bernabei as consulting winemaker.  So the future, holds rising promise. 

~ Vineyards on the Viticcio Estate ~

In discussing his 2007,  proprietor Alessandro Landini told me that,  "For me, after a number of exceptional years, 2007 is the best. It was a year that gave everything. It was the best harvest in 10 years."   When I first tasted the 2007 upon release in 2012,  I largely couched my remarks because the wine seemed fragmented.  I surmised then that a few years in the cellar would help this wine along and that has come to fruition. 

The 2007 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot.  Viticcio vinifies the wine in stainless steel and then ages it for up to 12 months in French barrique that vary from 1-3 years of age.  

A few years in the cellar has done this wine wonders.  The 2007 is vibrant on the nose with crushed berry, fresh flowers and dried herbs.  Very attractive.  On the palate, the wine has become much more expressive and seamless.  There's a ripe core of wild cherry fruit that is accented nicely with crushed stone dust, tobacco and dried herbs.  Classically styled, the Merlot seems to be hiding behind the Sangiovese and there's only a faint spice from the barrique on the finish.  Really wonderful and since these were $22 on release, quite the value.  Look for the 2009 and 2010 now; both of which are on the market.

~ Lovely Chianti Classico Riserva from Greve in Chianti ~

 Salute!