Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto Grosso I.G.T. Toscana
Our Sangioveto Grosso is made from another of the winery’s Crus, the “Scanni” vineyard. This wine is the embodiment of the revolutionary nature that has always been synonymous with the history of Castello di Monsanto. The vineyard was planted exclusively with Sangiovese vines in 1968 and produced its first harvest in 1974, in an exception to the Chianti Classico denomination rules that stated that no vineyards could be planted with a different ampelography to the historic system devised in 1800. The wine’s dissenting spirit has always been emphasized by the decision to use Burgundy bottles. An IGT wine, it is mellow and silky in its younger years but has a powerful capacity to stand up to aging.
Designation
I.G.T. Toscana Rosso
First year of production
1974
Grape varieties
100% Sangiovese
Training system
Guyot
Vinification
In truncated conical steel vats at controlled temperature with emptying system (Délestage) and pumping over for about 20 days
Maturazione o invecchiamento
In 500 litre French oak casks, some new and some second passage, for 18/20 months
Ageing
Two years of bottle aging
Climate trend
2017 was one of the driest years of the last decades. The first months of the year were variable with some rainfall only at the end of February and March. Some late frosts occurred after that, but from May onwards there was little rainfall and temperatures were always above the seasonal average. There were often high heat spikes in July and August. Only during the first days in September did some rainfall occur, not a lot, but sufficient to stop the heat that had been straining the vines for a long time and to successfully finish the grape ripening process. In order to confront these unusual weather conditions, it was essential to focus on vineyard management and experience in the winemaking process in order to obtain healthy grapes. Despite the significant decrease in production, the 2017 wines are pleasantly surprising in terms of quality. The colour gives a wonderful impression because in general it conveys a very interesting, lively and deep intensity. The aromas are also enjoyable, they are intense, varied with important fruity notes. Tannins are generally mature and smooth in the mouth but with great acidity and minerality which distinguish the Sangiovese grown on Galestro soil. Overall, despite the warm harvest, all the 2017 wines produced at Castello di Monsanto have the potential to improve with age.
