Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico 2021

Description

“Despite being located in one of the very best areas in Chianti Classico & boasting a superb track record, Rocca di Montegrossi remains one of the most under-the-radar estates in Chianti Classico, and Italy, for that matter. Proprietor Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi crafts deep, powerful wines that capture the essence of Monti, a sub-zone of Gaiole that has long been prized for the personality & pedigree of its reds. The estate’s Chianti Classico is often one of the best wines in its class, while the flagship San Marcellino & Geremia are reliably outstanding.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Located at Monti in Chianti (Gaiole), considered one of the region’s grand crus, Rocca di Montegrossi is named after the historic fortress (La Rocca) built by Marco’s ancestor, Geremia, during the Longobard period (600-800 AD). Marco is part of the Ricasoli family that wrote the story of Chianti Classico, creating the formula for the wine we know today at the site of what is now his San Marcellino vineyard. The soil here is incredibly rocky, forcing the roots deep and resulting in naturally low yields. Marco farms organically and has built his own large cisterns to gather rainwater, along with using biofuel for machinery.

Composed of about 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo and Colorino , the Chianti Classico Rocca di Montegrossi is the flagship wine of the company, aged in tonneaux and barriques for twelve months. The fruity aroma is classic Sangiovese with notes of cherry and wild berry, the palate harmonious, well-structured and lightly tannic.

About 2021 Chianti Classico’s, Antonio Galloni wrote in his article in August 2023 “Chianti Classico: The Brilliant 2021s & Variable 2020s”:This is a stellar set of wines from proprietor Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi. All of the wines are compelling, but as is the case with so many properties, I am super-impressed with the Chianti Classico, a wine that will give readers a very good idea of what the vintage is all about. The Rocca di Montegrossi wines are distinguished by tremendous purity of fruit and exceptional balance.”

92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media “The 2021 Chianti Classico is a model of excellence. Pure, bright and wonderfully vibrant, the 2021 possesses superb energy and exceptional balance. Crushed red/purplish fruit, rose petal, sweet spice and orange zest bristle with tension. This is a rare Chianti Classico I would cellar for a year or two. Superb.”

93 points, Decanter “As high temperatures in mid-August shut down the ripening of Sangiovese, Marco Ricasoli reports picking approximately a week later than usual. He also introduced a sorting table to remove dried or green berries as well any pieces of stems. His resulting annata is pristine and sophisticated. Deep violet in colour and equally youthful on the nose, it exudes wild berries, black plum, and hints of wood spice. Tangy dark red cherry fills the mouth, buoyed by rambunctious acidity and framed by suede-textured tannins. Winter mint and liquorice root linger on the finish. With admirable complexity, this outperforms its category.”

17.5 out of 20, Walter Speller – jancisrohinson.com “Impenetrably dark ruby. Gorgeous, deep dark cherry with a white-pepper note. Great depth and complexity and super-inviting. Succulent, a little bloody and mouth-filling cherry fruit with sandpapery tannins. Long and generous and perfectly balanced. Overachieving for this category. One of the most consistent classic Chianti Classicos, which year after year, almost regardless of the vintage, delivers.“

RRP $69   Our Price $54.99

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