Coevo: No Compromises

Just a short ride down the strada provinciale from the center of Castellina in Chianti lie the manicured vineyards and modern winery of The Cecchi Family. The estate marks ground zero for the production of their monumental Tuscan Blend Coevo. 

I've written many times about Coevo on TuscanVines and today we're looking at the latest vintage which is not yet fully released.  The 2011, like the 2010 and 2006 before it, has earned the coveted Tre Bicchieri Award from Gambero Rosso.  I've been fortunate to taste it a few times and it deserves the accolades. 

~ Cecchi's Cellars in Castellina in Chianti ~

 

"Coevo" means Contemporary and in keeping with the theme of the wine,  the blend changes each year as the vintage dictates.  Coevo is only made in exceptional vintages so there is never a question of quality.  As Cesare Cecchi has told me:  "Coevo makes no compromises."  

The 2011 is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet.  The former and latter varieties come from Cecchi's estate in Castellina and the middle varieties from their estate in Maremma. 

~ We paired the 2011 with grilled double cut pork chops over a potato and caramelized onion has. Some long hot peppers topped it off ~

The 2011 Coevo is superb.  As I mentioned above, it deserves the accolades it has already received.   In the glass, it is a deep purple color, opaque at the center and only fading slightly at the rim of the bowl.  At present, the aromas are dominated by the Sangiovese in the blend.  Racy black cherry,  wild Tuscan herbs, sweet pipe tobacco, and new leather are notable and enticing.  The Petit Verdot, which comprises a formidable 20% of the blend has given a noticeable boost to the color of the wine.  When I asked Andrea Cecchi why he upped the Petit percentage in 2011, his response was simply:  "The grapes were so good!"  

On the palate, the wine is silky and refined.  The Merlot seems to smooth out some of the edges and the Sangiovese again, shines.  Ripe wild berries, tobacco, fennel and that certain dusty essence notable to Castellina in Chianti wines pours through.  The Cabernet asserts its structure toward the finish, but by and large, this is the most open and expressive I've ever witnessed a young Coevo to be.  A monumental wine that is balanced so well it will age effortlessly for a decade,  but one that already drinks beautifully.  97 points.  Approximate Retail of $75 upon release.  Disclosure:  This bottle was an importer provided sample.

~ Another gorgeous example of Coevo from the Cecchi Family ~

Salute!