Rock of Castellina

~ The New Cellar at Rocca delle Macie ~

Castellina in Chianti charms in many ways.   It's a quiet town filled with quaint shops, excellent trattorie and meandering nooks and alleys that impress at every turn.  It's also in the epicenter of Chianti Classico and home to some of the finest producers of Sangiovese in the region.  

 

Rocca delle Macie is one of them.  This time honored estate had fallen into somewhat of a "stale" period, but the Zingarelli's have reinvigorated this proud property with vineyard replantings, additions and the updating of the cellars.  Quality has been rising for 10+ years and shows no sign of stalling.  If you haven't given them a look in a while, think again. 

 

 

Ever since I tasted their 2011 Riserva at Gran Selezione, I've been looking for it locally.  Once found, it promptly went into my cellar and recently, we pulled one with dinner.  

The 2011 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva is reminiscent of the great 2004.  The purity and essence of Castellina in Chianti shine through in this wine.  The dusty white road.  The red stones. The sunflowers.  The fennel pollen.  The wild berry.  The nose and palate of this wine is simply everything that Chianti Classico should be.  It's a singular expression of Sangiovese that lovers of the grape hunger for.  Balanced, nuanced, with medium weight tannins that afford drinkability sooner rather than later - but with the structure required to hold it in your cellar until it's 10th birthday.  I've many bottles of the 2004 remaining and it's in no danger of fading.   

The value?  Spectacular for my dime.  The 2011 was purchased at Wegmans for the sum of $19 so I actually anticipate that you can find it even cheaper than that.  A steal.  93 points. 

 

~ The 2011 is 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet ~

Salute!