Castello Vicchiomaggio SAN JACOPO Chianti Classico DOCG

Matured in oak barriques for 18-24 months this wine is powerful and concentrated with a flavour of ripe red fruits underlined by toast, spice and herbs (6 x 75 cl)

Matured in French barriques for 6 months and then in the traditional large oak barrels. Tradition and a little innovation combine to produce a wine showing excellent fruit, structure and balance with a nice lick of oak. The vineyard is over 20 years old ensuring low yields and excellent fruit quality ensuring power and good ability to age (6 x 75 cl)

A powerful bouquet of sweet fruits and herbs. The delicious pure taste is enhanced by a rich toasty flavour and black cherries. This is powerful stuff with hints of mint and a bitter twist in the finish all in perfect harmony. Aged for 2 years before release. (6 x 75 cl)

Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico DOCG from Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Classico by Castello di Meleto Gaiole in Chianti (18 x 37.5 cl)

Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico DOCG from Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Classico by Castello di Meleto Gaiole in Chianti (12 x 75 cl)

Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Vigna Casi from Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Classico by Castello di Meleto Gaiole in Chianti (12 x 75 cl)

Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Vigna Casi from Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Classico by Castello di Meleto Gaiole in Chianti

In 1978 John and Harry Mariani, successful American importers, joined forces with Italy's leading enologist, Ezio Rivella; their objective was to produce top-quality wine on a scale never before attempted in Italy. Castello Banfi is a rarity among Italian wine estates, not just because of its size , its composition of single vineyards, or its state-of-the-art winery, but because it was started from scratch a little over 25 years ago. At that time the Mariani Brothers were looking for an estate where the climate and soil had to be ideal for the cultivation of many of the world's noble grape varieties, and it had to be within a region of Italy that already had a tradition of quality winemaking. The 4,500 acres that the Mariani Brothers first found were near Montalcino, and eligible for the status DOCG of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most prestigious of all Italian wines and it met the other criteria as well. By good luck the adjacent estate, of 2,600 acres, became available shortly afterwards and in 1984 the 11th century castle was the final purchase, and the estate was renamed Castello Banfi. Today Castello Banfi is producing a wide range of wines including Brunello di Montalcino that was Italy's first wine to be accorded D.O.C.G. status, a testament to its aristocracy, balance and fabulous proclivity for ageing. Banfi Chianti Classico embodies all the characteristics that have made this wine an enduring classic: an alluring bouquet of black fruit and violets; rich flavours of cherry and leather; supple tannins and good acidity for dining. Fermentation takes place with a traditional skin contact of 8 to 10 days before ageing in French oak barriques for 7 months, while bottling is carried out in the summer following the harvest. Young mauve red coloured wine with complex aromas of plum, blackberry and hints of licorice, vanilla and light leather. Fruit forward in style, the black-fruit notes and good structure are well balanced culminating in a lingering finish. (6 x 75 cl)

Nearly all Sangiovese, with a touch of Caniolo, this deep red coloured wine is showing a firm ripeness, depth of flavour as well as a touch of cherries on the finish. (12 x 75 cl)