Il Poggio Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. Gran Selezione
It was Il Poggio vineyard, way back in 1962, that heralded the start of Castello di Monsanto’s journey in wine production, with the first harvest overseen by founder Fabrizio Bianchi. Still to this day, the company’s most iconic bottle, Il Poggio, is the first Chianti Classico to feature the name of the specific vineyard from which it comes. White grapes were removed from the recipe in 1968. Il Poggio is the source – thanks to massal selection – of all the Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo vines in the winery’s other vineyards. Over 100,00 bottles have been produced and all of them spend time aging in the castle’s historic cellar, showcasing the wine’s stunning capacity for aging.
Designation
Chianti Classico D.O.C. Riserva
First year of production
1962
Grape varieties
90% Sangiovese; 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 20/22 days
Maturazione o invecchiamento
In 5000 litre Slavonian oak casks for 3 years
Ageing
Two years of bottle aging
Climate trend
Spring was very short in 1980 and flowering was delayed. The summer was characterized by fluctuating temperatures and a long period of dry weather. The harvest was delayed until the last week of October through the first week of November. 1980 was rated by the Consortium as a medium vintage. Over the last 40 years, Monsanto’s 1980 vintage has shown an incredible capacity for ageing, and has developed a very open bouquet and an elegant structure, despite the fact the vintage was not an outstanding one.
