Poderi Melini 'San Lorenzo' Chianti Superiore | Tuscany, Italy

£14.70

Poderi Melini Chianti DOCG San Lorenzo, made mainly from Sangiovese Grosso, is a vibrant and juicy example of Tuscan wines.

On the hills overlooking Val d’Elsa, Podere San Lorenzo is located on the historical border between Chianti and Chianti Classico. There are records of Podere San Lorenzo dating as early as the 1300s, when it was the site of a suffragan church under the more important church of Sant’Agnese.

The soils are composed of yellow-ochre sands of Pliocene origin. Commonly called ‘tufo senese’ (Sienese tuff) in the area, this soil is rich in marine fossils.This gives a minerality and a specific character to the wines. The vineyards, at 250-350m, enjoy optimal exposure and constant north-west ventilation, which guarantees excellent levels of grape health.

Sangiovese Grosso is a natural mutation of the more common Sangiovese grape, its name, “Grosso,” refers to the larger size of its berries than standard Sangiovese. Considered to be superior to the other Sangiovese grapes, and late to ripen, it is used for traditionally powerful, long lived and slow maturing wines, the most important of all is Brunello di Montalcino.

Well-ripened grapes are harvested between late September and early October. After 3-4 weeks of cold pre-fermentation, the bunches are traditionally fermented with maceration on the skins. Judicious pumping-over is performed during this phase of temperature controlled fermentation (25°C) to preserve the fruity character of the grapes. After racking, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in 20 and 40 hl barrels.

Podere San Lorenzo contains a majestic cypress grove of over 250ha, which is now a Nature Reserve. Specific conditions allowed cypress to naturalise in the area; one of the few examples in Mediterranean countries and one of only three cypress groves grown from seed existing in Italy.

Poderi Melini Chianti DOCG San Lorenzo, made mainly from Sangiovese Grosso, is a vibrant and juicy example of Tuscan wines.

On the hills overlooking Val d’Elsa, Podere San Lorenzo is located on the historical border between Chianti and Chianti Classico. There are records of Podere San Lorenzo dating as early as the 1300s, when it was the site of a suffragan church under the more important church of Sant’Agnese.

The soils are composed of yellow-ochre sands of Pliocene origin. Commonly called ‘tufo senese’ (Sienese tuff) in the area, this soil is rich in marine fossils.This gives a minerality and a specific character to the wines. The vineyards, at 250-350m, enjoy optimal exposure and constant north-west ventilation, which guarantees excellent levels of grape health.

Sangiovese Grosso is a natural mutation of the more common Sangiovese grape, its name, “Grosso,” refers to the larger size of its berries than standard Sangiovese. Considered to be superior to the other Sangiovese grapes, and late to ripen, it is used for traditionally powerful, long lived and slow maturing wines, the most important of all is Brunello di Montalcino.

Well-ripened grapes are harvested between late September and early October. After 3-4 weeks of cold pre-fermentation, the bunches are traditionally fermented with maceration on the skins. Judicious pumping-over is performed during this phase of temperature controlled fermentation (25°C) to preserve the fruity character of the grapes. After racking, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in 20 and 40 hl barrels.

Podere San Lorenzo contains a majestic cypress grove of over 250ha, which is now a Nature Reserve. Specific conditions allowed cypress to naturalise in the area; one of the few examples in Mediterranean countries and one of only three cypress groves grown from seed existing in Italy.

Origin: Chianti DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

Grapes: Sangiovese Grosso

Tasting Notes: Ruby red colour with purple nuances, tending to garnet with ageing. On the nose marked berry, plum and cherry aromas join forces with floral hints of Parma violet and a light spiciness. The palate is rich, rounded and full flavoured, with well-integrated tannins and attractive, lingering notes of more berries and almond.

ABV: 14.0%

Vintage: 2023

Ageing potential: 3 years

Attributes: oak aged

Closure: cork

Farming:

Sustainability info:

Winemaker: Alessandro Zanette 

Winery link

Food pairing suggestions: Pasta dishes with meat sauces (Italian classics like Bolognese), cured meats, roast poultry and lamb plus aged cheese such as pecorino.