Fattoria di Sammontana "Alberese" Toscano Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2023

FROM GRAND CRU SELECTIONS:

THE WINE: The limestone based soils that predominate the Chianti area are known as “albarese”, and Sangiovese thrives in its soils. This red is the Dzieduszycki family’s take on an easy drinking, light bodied wine packed with energetic red fruit, and perfect when lightly chilled. It’s made with Sangiovese and a touch of Trebbiano, shortly macerated on their skins and vinified in stainless steel and cement vats.

THE PRODUCER: Fattoria di Sammontana relishes in a unique equilibrium between tradition and innovation at the center of one of Tuscany’s most historic winemaking regions, Chianti. As the story often goes around these parts, Sammontana and its vines began centuries ago as a rural “borgo” that was once a thriving wheat farm with some vines and olive trees as well as a giant oven used for baking terra cotta as per tradition around these parts. What is woven in today by the Dzieduszycki family - owners of this historic hamlet in Montelupo, due just west of Florence - combines curiosity and creativity with tradition and timelessness. The fresh, easy-drinking and spunky wines chart new ground for locally loved varietals like Sangiovese and Trebbiano offering new perspective on the potential of this under-appreciated region just west of Florence. Sammontana dates back to the 12th century and was once property of the acclaimed Medici family. Historically, the hamlet thrived from the production of grains, olive oil, wine and terracotta. Purchased in the 1860s by a Polish family, the winery is still today in their care after 4 generations. Wine has become the predominant business, thanks to 13 hectares of vineyards planted and maintained according to biodynamic farming. Throughout the winemaking process, experimentation is prevalent and while the approach rests largely on the laurels of the land, the current generation is inspired to create clean wines that avoid manipulation, chemicals, filtration, or clarification with a healthy dose of personality.