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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.