M�rke: Machiavelli

“Vigna di Fontalle”
Chianti Classico Riserva Docg

The grapes: 100% sangiovese grosso.

The vineyard: Vigna di Fontalle, 26.57 hectares on the hills (300 metres altitude) at Sant’ Andrea in Percussina, beside the Albergaccio; the vines, trained by the Guyot and spurred cordon systems on south-facing highly acclaimed terrain (alberese, galestro, clayey schist), yielded 70 quintals of grapes per hectare.

The vinification and the maturation: the bunches, picked by hand in the middle of October, were vinified with 21 days maceration and frequent pumping of the must over the cap, at 25°C; 50% was fermented in barriques where it then remained for a year; the rest was matured for 2 years in French oak casks. After the blending, the wine was bottled, and rested in glass for at least 3 months.

The wine: Vigna di Fontalle Classico Riserva 2006 has a vivid, purple red colour and a rich and intense bouquet with definite fruity (raspberries, blackberries) and floral (irises) hints backed by notes of vanilla and resin. The flavour is full, concentrated, very elegant and balanced with a very agreeable, lingering aftertaste of liquorice and conserve.

Analytical details: 13.85% alcohol; 5.84 g/l total acidity; 3.29 pH; 2.32 g/l residual sugar; 28,52 g/l dry extract.

Optimum keeping: 15-18 years in bottles stored horizontally in cool, dark conditions.

Food matches: roast red meats, game, mature cheeses.

Serving temperature: 18°C.

Unusual fact: this Riserva has the name of a vineyard which already existed at the time when Niccolò Machiavelli was owner of the Fattoria.