Castello di Monsanto Riserva Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. Riserva
An accessible example of the unique style and character of Castello di Monsanto wines. This multi-faceted wine can be enjoyed straight away or left to develop and evolve as the years roll by. It is our most widely produced wine by far, underlining our winery’s belief in Sangiovese, which acquires a strength and energy from our soil that must be patiently awaited. One of the oldest wines in Italy, it appeared on the market in the 1960s and has become an ambassador for the entire denomination around the world.
Designation
Chianti Classico D.O.C. Riserva
First year of production
1962
Grape varieties
70% Sangiovese; 20% Trebbiano and Malvasia; 10% Canaiolo and Colorino
Training system
Guyot and spurred cordon
Vinification
In temperature controlled truncated conical steel vats with emptying system (Délestage) and pumping over for about 18/20 days.
Maturazione o invecchiamento
In 5000 litre chestnut casks for 2 years
Ageing
Six months of bottle aging
Climate trend
1966 was a unique year at Castello di Monsanto: Fabrizio and Giuliana Bianchi welcomed their second child Laura. It was also an intense period for them because they started renovating the old cellars under the castle and they enlarged the single vineyard Il Poggio by one hectare. Chianti Classico Riserva and Il Poggio 1966 were produced following the traditional formula as required by the Denomination. This vintage was vinified with the old system of “Governo alla Toscana”, which is a secondary fermentation set in motion with the addition of dried grapes in December and the grapes were not destemmed before maceration. 1966 was one of the smallest harvests ever from a quantitative perspective.
