Deep ruby color; cherry, blackberry, blueberry, roasted tomato on the nose; cherry, black and blue fruits, sweet balsamic on the palate.
Dry; medium body, medium body, medium acidity (3.58 pH). Blend of 80% sangiovese, 10% ciliegiolo, 10% cabernet sauvignon. Vinified in stainless steel and small wood vats. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts; long maceration for up to four weeks. Aged for 18 months in vats and tonneaux (French and Slavonian oak) with punchdowns and aeration to develop voluptuous texture without providing obnoxious oak. No fining. Certified organic. 14.5% ABV
Sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon are familiar grapes. Ciliegiolo less so. Cilegiolo is Italian for “cherry” and has been part of Chianti blends for many years. While obscure, today, it enjoys a revival and is even bottled as a varietal. Some DNA studies indicate cilegiolo and calabrese di montenuovo are the parents of sangiovese, but others indicate sangiovese is the parent of cilegiolo. Either way, cilegiolo and sangiovese are very closely related. Cilegiolo resembles cherries in both color and aroma. It brings freshness, softness, and a lively note to otherwise heavy wines, which very likely why it is used in this effort.
ColleMassari is the most important and largest estate of the Montecucco appellation in central Tuscany. The vineyards are located on the Montecucco hill that gives name to the appellation. The vines on the Montecucco hill are the oldest Sangiovese vines of the DOCG. Montecucco is located between Montalcino, and Scansano, and benefits from microclimates similar to both of those regions. The Castello ColleMassari winery is located in Cinigiano in the foothills of Monte Amiata, about 1050 ft above sea level. Maria Iris Bertarelli and Claudio Tipa purchased the vineyard in 1998 with a vision to revitalizing the operation. The winery says this effort is the “signature wine of Castello ColleMassair.”
Castello Colle Massari Montecucco Rosso Riserva DOC 2017 is smooth, red and black fruit-forward, dense on the palate. While bold and intense in flavor, especially cherry, it also has a charming soft element. Surprisingly approachable and easy drinking for a Super Tuscan. Pair with pasta with meat and red sauces; roast and braised red meats; barbecue red meat and chicken; veal; wild game—venison, boar; lamb. Cheese—aged cheese; pecorino, gouda; fresh cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, buttata; blue cheeses—gorgonzola, roquefort, stilton.
