Tenuta Sette Ponti, Crognolo, Tuscany, Italy, 2022 (Top Value)

Overview of the Wine
The estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, fifteen miles northwest of the city of Arezzo just past the village of San Giustino Valdarno. The Via del Monte, known locally as the Via dei Sette Ponti, leads into a beautiful hidden valley and to the estate. The name Sette Ponti, or "seven bridges," refers to the seven bridges crossing the Arno River on the road from Arezzo to Florence. Erected in the mid 13th century, it took nearly forty years to build, and is perceptible in the right far background of Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa.

Tenuta Sette Ponti, is, like many Tuscan estates, multi-faceted. The 750-acre property supports livestock and mixed agriculture, and although viticulture is not new to the estate, winemaking is; the yield of the property's vineyards was until 1997 sold to various respected Tuscan wine producers, among them Piero Antinori. Dr. Moretti's enjoyment of wine led him to ask Antinori if the estate vineyards could produce great wines, and Antinori thought they could. The estate has since been transformed through the consultation of respected oenologist Carlo Ferrini and his assistant, Gioia Cresti; Gilbert Bouvet, one of France's most skilled viticulturalists; and agronomist Benedetto d'Anna. 

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Grape / Blend
90%+ Sangiovese and Merlot

Origin
Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The Tuscan winter was again mild with little rain, with cold peaks in February. With pruning finished, April saw a prolongation of low temperatures with heavy rains, causing the budding of the vines to be delayed until late May. The vegetative resumption was sharp and decisive, with plants growing in balance under the May sun. Flowering developed the first week of June, resulting in small fruit set, which shortly thereafter took shape, becoming clusters of the new production. The summer was hot and intense, only one rain in June, but the constant ventilation created the ideal microclimate for the grapes, which, after veraison and color change, reached maturity in September. Merlot has experienced an intense season, rapidly developing the productive shoots, and the swelling of the berries, showing good productivity, regulated through the thinning of the grapes. Each parcel of Merlot has expressed its personality, with remarkable peaks in quality. The Sangiovese, despite the prolonged exposure to temperatures, has enjoyed the protection of its foliage, shaped to shade and create a warm and dry microclimate, favorable to temperature variations, which will give quality and value to the grapes.

The intense ruby red color is a prelude to ample aromas of ripe cherries and wild berries, well blended with spicy notes that give the wine class and complexity. Round, distinctly harmonious and vibrant on the palate, it shows depth and perfect tannins.

Product size: 750ml