EXCEPTIONAL WINE ALERT:

Today’s Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG is one of the best Chiantis that we’ve tasted this year. An exceptional wine that is both restrained and elegant but with fresh fruit that you’d expect.

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Mission Codename: The Cinnabar Factor

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Acquire an exclusive allocation of an exceptional Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: Casa Alle Vacche

Wine Subject: 2007 ‘Cinabro’ Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva DOCG

Winemaker: Dr. Paul Salvi

Backgrounder:

Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in one of the eight sub-regions in the Chianti region. This one hales from the Chianti Colli Senesi * commune located south of Chianti Classico in the Siena hills and is the largest of the sub-zones. This impressive region also includes the Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano . The DOCG requires that these wines range from 75-100% Sangiovese grapes and often is blended with Caniolo Nero, Trebbiano, Malvasia or Cabernet Sauvignon (regular Chianti is limited to no more than 90% Sangiovese). In order to be considered a *Riserva the wine must be aged for at least 27 months and have a minimum alcohol percentage of 12.5%. ‘Cinabro’ or Cinnabar is a reddish-looking mineral as originally named by the Romans and is mined and extracted for mineral-based mercury.

This Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG is 100% Sangiovese, and while is still considered youthful, is drinking wonderfully right now and has exceptional 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 – Deep ruby and garnet red with a clear core that is reminiscent of black-cherry Jell-O. Along the edges the color shows its garnet character and when swirled, slow thing and widely spaced legs hang for a second before descending to the wine below.

Smell – Rich and fresh aromas of earthy and mildly spiced red cherry and other red fruits. Notes of smokey and toasty oaks blends into vanilla bean. Mocha and cocoa and floral violets completes the complex and inviting nose.

Feel – Very smooth, and while youthful, this fresh and lively wine is dry, expansive and warm in its attack, medium to full-bodied wine has fine but firm tannins, lively acidity and a fantastic minerality that lingers into the finish as indicated by its name.

Taste – Restrained and old world red cherry and raspberry with hints of toasted and complex oak that includes vanillas bean notes. Balanced hints of cocoa, a touch of exotic spice blend perfectly with the vanilla, toast, and cocoa while and mineral components linger.

Finish – Extremely long and smooth and clean with tightly woven tannins and acidity grasping the cleanly fading fruit, while its tannins and minerality lingers.

Conclusion – The 2007 Casa Alle Vacche ‘Cinabro’ Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva DOCG is a delicious old world example of a Riserva Chianti that shows tremendous finesse along with its Sangiovese’s tangy and zesty cherry. A big, complex and inviting nose, a textured and lively mouth-feel with great minerality, restrained and elegant in its flavors. Enjoy this wine now (after letting it open) with zesty seafood pasta or cellar for up to ten years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Dr. Paul Salvi

WINE EDUCATION: Degree in Technical Enology from the Istituto Tecnico Agrario at Siena 1994. In 1986 earned title of enologist from courses at Florence University, Montpellier and Bordeaux

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Vinify giving the utmost respect to the raw materials, using the appropriate technologies permitted to express the full potential of the grapes respecting of the typicity of the vineyard and production area.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: The wine is the fruit of the earth, the seasons and the passion of man.
No wine may be identical to another, this is the charm of this product.
There is always something to learn and discover.

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: The first wine that I was responsible from start to finish was Vernaccia di San Gimignano 1991 vintage

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Paul. We are thrilled to be showing your 2007 Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva ‘Cinabro’ today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

PAUL: Thank you for showcasing our fantastic ‘Cinabra’.

WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

PAUL: I always watched my grandfather and my father, who pruned the vineyard, and smiled as they reflected on the fruits of their labors.

WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

PAUL: Mythical creatures, in particular Tachis but the reality for us is tradition, tradition, tradition

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

PAUL: For the satisfaction of being told. “How good it is.”

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

PAUL: The Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva Cinabro is a Tuscan Sangiovese aged twelve months in cask before finishing. Our soul, our character is reflected in this wine, rustic, honest but true.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

PAUL: A simple beef steak, best cut “Florentine”.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Tuscan region so special?

PAUL: The air we breathe in the Tuscan landscape is unique, you feel the huge tradition of art and ancient culture.

WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

PAUL: This is the highlight of the year, the end of the grape harvest.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

PAUL: Our wines are the result of hard work, not a hobby or a second job. Our families live with the wine and for the wine. So I think those who taste our wine with heart and focus, understand it. For wine in general the quality and commitment have a cost, and consider value for money and consider that family businesses like ours are struggling for every bottle of wine. Every bottle is hard work, hope, Joy and the difficulty of an entire family.

WHITE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

PAUL: Give in to the temptation and purchase of a bottle of Cinabro, close your eyes and take a sip and imagine our hills with vineyards and olive groves, as they are kissed by the warmth of the sun making it a product uniquely of this land.

WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Casa Alle Vacche can be seen in this satellite photo.