Rocca di Castagnoli - Poggio a'Frati Chianti Classico Riserva 2011
Pairing Suggestions
Rocca di Castagnoli - Poggio a'Frati Chianti Classico Riserva 2011 (89 TSW)
Blend of 95% Sangiovese and a splash of Canaiolo.
During the Easter days we paired this lovely Chianti Riserva with the meal from vinoandfriends maastricht
Speldid combo I must admit. I tasted this one several years ago and now it’s even better.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a bright cherry red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of dark berries, cherries and red currant with hints of new leather, smoke and almond hints.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium well integrated tannins and medium acidity showing flavours of dark cherries, green tea, dried flowers and cedar. Nice and long finish. This one can take easily five more years in the cellar. Shame this one was my last bottle.
About the winery:
Owner Calogero Calì is originally from southern Italy, but made his money in the legal profession in Milan. He has owned Rocca di Castagnoli since 1981 and has since acquired four other wine companies. He employs an impressive team of winemakers and grape growers, led by Daniele Pagni, to get the wines from all companies the way he wants them. The end result is never a megalomaniac and expensive blockbuster but rather a digestible and elegant wine for a decent price.
Rocca di Castagnoli is located in Chianti Classico, just south of Gaiole.
The Rocca itself is the tower that marks the highest point of the hamlet of Castagnoli. Wine was already made here in the Middle Ages. It is a huge estate of 850 hectares, of which about 100 are planted with vines. The vineyards are between 380 and 500 meters high. The company has been intensively involved in identifying the best Sangiovese clone for Chianti Classico. The wines are known to combine very pure Sangiovese fruit with an emphasis on terroir and to age well. That is why the wines are often released here a year later than in most other domains.