Tenuta Larnianone
Tenuta Larnianone, Santa Virginia, Chianti Superiore DOCG, Siena, Tuscany, 2023
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 2022–2023 was relatively mild in the hills around Siena, with regular rainfall that replenished soil water reserves and ensured good vine dormancy. Spring arrived with moderate temperatures and frequent showers, promoting steady budbreak and healthy canopy growth. Early summer brought alternating warm days and cool nights, allowing the vines to develop gradually without excessive stress. July and August were warm but balanced by occasional rain and breezes from the surrounding hills, helping maintain freshness and avoiding severe drought. As September approached, sunny days and cooler nights favored slow, even ripening of Sangiovese, preserving acidity and aromatic complexity. Harvest began in late September under stable weather conditions, allowing careful hand selection of healthy, fully mature grapes. The resulting fruit showed excellent balance between ripe red fruit, fresh acidity, and refined tannins, reflecting the harmony of the 2023 growing season in the Chianti hills near Siena.