Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico are recognized as some of the best wines made in Tuscany. Sangiovese [the primary grape varietal] is acknowledged as one of the world's truly noble varieties. When sangiovese is planted in the right location it produces distinguished, complex and age worthy wines. But as I found out on my most recent trip to Italy, these famous regions are not alone in producing elite, top quality, Tuscan sangiovese.

Until Frances Mayes beautifully written book,"Under the Tuscan Sun" few people had ever heard of Cortona. Cortona is a medieval hill town located in the south eastern part of Tuscany. It is set between Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine Mountains providing a unique micro climate where sangiovese thrives. The Etruscans were the first to start growing grapes and making wine in Cortona but it was not until 1999 due to the efforts of top producers in the area that a DOC was recognized for the wines of Cortona.

One of those visionary, hard working wine makers was Fernando Cattani. In 1973 the Cattani family purchased the agricultural estate La Calonica. It covers about 45 hectares directly on the boarder between Montepulciano and Cortona. Today Fernando and his son Giovanni are producing wines that take their place among Italy's best wines.

Of course since half of the La Caloncia estate is in the province of Montepulcino it makes sense that they would produce Vino Nobile di Montepulcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulcino Riserva. These wines show the dark earthy side of sangiovese with subtle overtones of dried herbs and flowers.

From the Cortona side of the estate we have two wines that are sure to please any lover of sangiovese. The Cortona Sangiovese is a blend of 85% sangiovese and 15% syrah. (Cortona is known as one of the best regions in Italy for syrah.) The flagship wine from Cortona is known as Girifalco, a blend of 85% sangiovese with 15% cabernet and merlot. Girifalco is a deep ruby wine with hints of violets and complex hints of cocoa in the nose.

                                                                                                                    

I must mention two other wines produced by La Caloncia, Capanne Vecchie Sangiovese Cabernet and Capanne Vecchie Sangiovese Merlot. The Capanne Vecchie wines were created by Fernando and our wine buyer Brad Lewis. They represent perhaps the most complex, value driven wines we sell.

 

 

Paul Quaglini, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwinepaulq