Alcohol: 13.5%
Grape(s): 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot
Location: Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Tasting Notes: The Chianti Classico Riserva is complex and beguiling right out of the gate. Black cherry, menthol, new leather, licorice, mocha, lavender and spice are some of the many nuances that flesh out with a bit of air. There's plenty to admire in this resonant, layered Riserva from Meleto.
Food pairing: Perfect with traditional Tuscan dishes such as ribollita and papa al pomodoro. Pairs well with grilled white and red meats.
Winery Story: The Castle of Meleto, a majestic 13th-century structure, rises on a gentle hill in the heart of the Chianti Classico area, just a short distance from the border between the old republics of Florence and Siena. It's a very large Estate that covers more than 1000 hectares (over 2400 acres), 180 of which are devoted to viticulture. The wines are primarily made with Sangiovese del Chianti grapes, which have been cultivated for centuries in these vineyards. The 180 hectares planted represent the fourth-largest property in the region.
On the hilltops of the Chianti Classico, between Siena and Florence, Castello di Meleto produce Sangiovese rich in Italian culture and history.
Sangiovese, or ‘Blood of Jove’, is Italy’s numero uno grape variety. Jove (Jupiter) is the Roman king of gods. Sangiovese is the hero of the Tuscany region.
The lands of Castello di Meleto extend around the castle for about one thousand hectares. Of them one hundred and sixty are dedicated to the cultivation of vines.
In recent years, particular attention has been paid to the study of the land most suited to viticulture. Five farm units were defined, each of which has unique characteristics: Meleto, San Piero, Casi, Poggiarso and Moci. See the map for the origin of the grape variety.
Among the many stories witnessed by the walls of Meleto, the most curious and significant is undoubtedly the establishment of the Tuscan Viticultural Company, born in the late 1960s with the aim of enhancing the wine-growing vocation of the territory.
