Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico 2021

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. ERIC GUIDO

Rocca di Montegrossi is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, about seven kilometres from Gaiole. The name comes from the historic fortress that was built during the Longobard period (600-800 AD) by Geremia, ancestor of the Ricasoli–Firidolfi family, and destroyed in 1530. 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 estate covers 60 hectares, of which 18 are under vine and 20 with olives trees. The vineyards are situated on gently sloping hills that are calcareous origin, at between 300-450 metres and planting densities range from 3,300 vines per hectare in the old vineyards to 5200-6200 in the new. The soil is very rocky and just planting a vineyard here is costly exercise thanks to the work required to break the ground but the flip side is that the vines are forced deep into the soil and yields are naturally low.