Producer: Salcheto
Region: Toscana
Appellation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Classification: DOCG
Variety: Sangiovese
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Alcohol: 15%
Awards: 95-Wine Enthusiast; 93-Wine Advocate
CELLAR PROFILE
Established in 1984, Salcheto is the creation of viticulturist and winemaker, Michele Manelli. Michele’s genuine passion for refined and delicate wines has propelled this tiny estate into one of Montepulciano’s top producers. His mission is simple and clear: seek quality, both in the vineyard and the cellar, with an unfailing respect for the character of the grapes. Manual collections, sulfite-free vinifications, native yeasts, “Tuscan Governo” method and large botte and tonneaux barrels are the tools used to produce wines that are elegant and soft, with pronounced aromas and uniqueness for each vintage released. Though lesser known than Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile offers incredible value and an earlier drinking window for Tuscan wine lovers. Geographically situated between its more famous neighbours, Vino Nobile’s style takes the best from each—bright and supple, concentrated and powerful. Salcheto is an ‘off the grid’ winery operating one of the wine world’s only energy-independent cellar systems. Along with countless other environmental initiatives, this led to Salcheto being named Gambero Rosso’s Sustainable Winery of the Year in 2014. Their 50 hectares of organically- and biodynamically-farmed vines are planted with Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Canaiolo, Mammolo, Colorino, Merlot and Trebbiano. Their ‘Obvius’ lineup offers a clean, modern style of natural wines made from, as Michele puts it, ‘grapes only’.
REGION
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Italy’s classic red wines, and has unquestionably helped Tuscany retain its privileged place on the world wine map. According to DOCG rules, to be labeled as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano a wine must come from vineyards on the hills which surround Montepulciano, a picturesque hill town 40 km southeast of Siena, in southeastern Tuscany. This area is made up of slopes reaching 250–600 masl in altitude, located between two rivers – the Ocria and the Chiana. The key grape variety grown here is Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile).
VINEYARD
Made from the oldest vines of the Salco vineyard, the most mature and important of the estate. A field of 2 ha, with vines of 29-31 years of age, entirely cultivated with a clone of Sangiovese Prugnolo Gentile selected at the winery that, at each harvest, easily reaches a slight overripening.
WINEMAKING
Slightly “overripe” berries from the best and oldest vines of the Salco vineyard are hand-selected. The grapes are slowly macerated and fermented in open top concrete fermenters, with daily hand punchdowns. After malolactic fermentation finishes, the wine is racked into large French oak tonneaux, where it ages for 24 months. It is then bottled unfined and unfiltered, where it spends a further three years before release.
TASTING NOTES
Explosive aromas of black cherry, strawberry, cocoa, cedar and pomegranate lead to a full, silky-smooth palate, with added savoury and earthy elements. The tannins are structured, but evolved, and the acids are well-integrated with the fruit. The finish is long and complex. Decant and serve at cellar temperature with seared flank steak or porcini mushrooms.
VARIETIES
Sangiovese, a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. It is prized for its high acid, firm tannins and balanced nature. Savoury flavours of dark cherries and black stone fruit are characteristic and may be backed by secondary notes of tomato leaf and dried herbs. The use of oak has become more popular and this coaxes richer flavours from the grapes, tending toward plum and wild raspberry.
