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What We Say 2007 Comignole Chianti Classico DOCG
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Mission Codename: Comignole?… Say what?
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Revisit Fattoria La Marcellina to acquire the latest vintage of their delicious Comignole Chianti Classico
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Fattoria La Marcellina
Wine Subject: 2007 Comignole Chianti Classico DOCG
Winemaker: Fabio Castellacci
Backgrounder:
Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in one of the eight sub-regions in the Chianti region. This one hales from the Panzano In Chianti commune, in the Chianti hills about halfway between Siena to the south and Florence to the north. The DOCG requires that these wines range from 75-100% Sangiovese grapes and often is blended with Caniolo Nero, Trebbiano, Colorino, Malvasia or Cabernet Sauvignon (regular Chianti is limited to no more than 90% Sangiovese). The Chianti from Panzano In Chianti are typically the most smooth and soft Chiantis due to a natural production of high-glycerin. Today’s selection, from the Comignole vineyard is Bio Dynamic and grown on top of a high small hill that receives full exposition from all 4 directions of the compass.
This Chianti Classico DOCG is 100% Sangiovese and has excellent cellar potential. The finest Chianti Classico, such as this one, can age gracefully for up to 20 years and are also among the funnest food wines from Italy.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark garnet and purple with ruby hues through its dense and but clear heart. Along the edges the color remains dense and when swirled, tight and randomly spaced fast thin legs descend to the wine below.
Smell – Medium bold and rich in intensity with sweet and ripe aromas of red and black cherry over a smokey and earthy base. Subtle notes of wild anise, soft smokey oak, floral hints and spice intermingle with herbal bramble and characteristic tomato vine.
Feel – Very smooth and rich, this dry full-bodied wine has firm and firm but smooth persistent tannins and bright and lively acidity that becomes slightly chewy and expansive on the mouth with a nice tanginess at mid palate.
Taste – Generous flavors of both ripe and dried, earthy and smokey red and black cherry, spiced plum and other dark bramble fruit are framed by this wine’s balanced acidity and a nice minerality. Complex hints of toasted vanilla, exotic spice and anise add to the flavors that present on the nose.
Finish – Extremely long, clean and lingering with vivid fruit with notes of bitter cherry supported by this wine’s tannins and balanced acidity structure.
Conclusion – The 2007 La Marcellina Comignole Chianti Classico DOCG is even better than the exceptional 2006 vintage. Softer on the palate but its structure still holds up, this wine is drinking wonderfully right now but will also cellar for up to 10 years in the future. If you are craving a boutique Chianti Classico with lots of character, then this is your wine!
Mission Report:
Below is a recap of Agent White’s first encounter with La Marcellina’s great Tuscan wines.
Word came in from OPS to head south from Florence and find Comignole… I had heard rumors of Comignole, but wasn’t sure what exactly what he or she, or it was. The rumors ranged from a Sasquatch type creature that wrecked havoc in the area to a small ground mole that raided vineyards in search of a tasty meal. I had no idea what to expect.
My local asset on the ground, Agent Baco Noir promoted the Sasquatch theory, I think in an effort to not only intimidate me but also, as I found out later, to as part of her ongoing game with me. Baco informed me that she had a lead and insisted that I be prepared for outdoor activities (think Man v. Wild), but I wasn’t worried, heck this was Tuscany, how wild would it get, not to mention, my local asset never wore anything less than 4 inch heels, regardless of the terrain.
We ventured forth on our Vespas through the winding hills of the Chianti region, and we approached a vineyard in the Panzano in Chianti commune. From here we went on foot, and walked into a carefully tended Sangiovese vineyard. Then things started to get strange, I started hearing grunts and other not-so-natural sounds. She took up a position behind me and pushed me forward. The noises continued and in the distance I could see a small worn-out barn.
“There, in the barn”, She pointed… _ “My contact said to check there…”_
As I opened the creaky door, a thin ray of sunlight lit only a portion of the otherwise dark and dusty barn. I took a step in and the door slammed shut with a shudder, both from the barn and also up my spine. Just then, Baco, goosed me by grabbing me from behind and scared the, well, better discretion says I cannot describe….
As she laughed, the door opened, and the Castellacci family emerged with big smiles and said “let’s go and meet Comignole”, as they presented me a bottle of their *Chianti Classico *, named Comignole, as we looked over the vineyard bearing the same name.
Mystery solved, and a delicious mystery it was.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Fattoria La Marcellina can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
La Marcellina
About This Wine:
Very intense ruby colour, with clear hues of Garnet, typical of Sangiovese. The nose is elegant and refined, revealing itself calmly and without rudeness. Fresh scents of bing cherries, violets, sweet licorice and forest fruit marmelade. The palate is rich, with a bright acidity which makes it perfect for food, balanced by the great glycerine content which gives it a velvety smoothness without being cloying. Well and justly integrated alcohol and a long elegant finish typical of Panzano Chiantis.
VINIFICATION: The harvested grapes are carefully vinified within the respect of the traditional Chianti methodology and with the use of selected yeasts and advanced cellar techniques. The long maceration on the skins, after the alcoholic fermentation, allows us to obtain a high but not excessive extraction, from a noble varietal often difficult to harness. Finding itself perfectly at home, our Sangiovese gives off a good concentration of glycerine which gives the wine a fantastic smoothness despite it’s naturally high acidity.
SUB-APPELLATION: Panzano in Chianti (FI)
ORIGIN OF THE GRAPES: this wine is made from carefully selected grapes of Sangiovese in the estate’s vineyards, utilizing a high quality clone.
About The Winery:
The residence situated next to the winery has ancient, definitely Medieval origins.
The original tower was a guardpost for the nearby castle.
Writings from the period record that the family of Firidolfi da Panzano, feudal lords of the castle in the village of the same name, gave the land and house which today form La Marcellina farm to a certain Marcello, who had rid them of a troublesome enemy.
The destitute marcello now found himself the proprietor of a house and land, and named the property “Marcello”.
A subsequent transcription error transformed this into “Marcellina”, and later “La Marcellina”. The namen it retains to this day.
History of the Vineyards:
La Marcellina winery is an ancient Chianti-style building dating back to the Middle Ages, when its tower was used in wars by the nearby castle of Panzano.
When its military service was over, it became a rural home, and its structure was gradually extended and tarnsformed into the present day buildings.
13 of 20 hectares of farmlands are specialised vineyards, the birthplace of truly unique Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. wines.
Olive groves cover the remaining land for the production of a really stylish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, enjoyed around the world.
Technical Analysis:
Grape Composition: 100% Sangiovese (VCR23 clone)
Name of Vineyard: “Comignole”
Soil Composition: Bale Gravelly Loam
Size of Vineyard: 30 hectars
Year Planted: 1979
Harvest Date: 9/30/2006
Alcohol Content: 13.50%
Total Acidity (TA): 3.33
pH: 3.61
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/lt
Cooperage: 50% new oak (75% American, 25% French)
Length of Aging: 18 months in oak, 90 days in bottle
Fining/Filtration: No Fining/Filtered
Cases Produced: 950
