Tenuta Larnianone
Tenuta Larnianone, Santa Virginia, Chianti Superiore DOCG, Siena, Tuscany, 2020
RedComing from handpicked grapes taken at the estate winery. Almost impenetrable dark ruby. A seductive union of red berries and dark cherries with cigar-box notes and hints of black olives. Super-accessible, lush and supple on the palate, with the gentle grip of soft, grainy tannins on the finish. This can age further, but why wait? Vegan. Sold for an average price of $27 in the USA.
Alcoholic fermentation in concrete vats or stainless steel, manual pumping overs twice a day for 20 days, malolactic in concrete. it ages 8 months in Hungarian used tonneau.
Winter was dry and did not allow the plant to rest nor the natural water reserves of the estate to replenish. The early spring triggered bud break at the end of March. Freezing temperatures followed, reducing yields in lower elevation vineyards. Dry conditions throughout the season resulted in little fungal pressure but became problematic in August when temperatures rose, further reducing yield. The resulting wines are incredibly good considering the challenging growing season.