Bellezza
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
D.O.C.G.
“A wine telling the Tuscan beauty”
Classified as a Gran Selezione, Bellezza represents the most intense expression of a Chianti Classico wine.
We sourced this wine from the Sangiovese vines of the estate vineyard named Bellezza (Beauty).
An outstanding display of Sangiovese, complex and well-balanced on the palate, with silky tannins and an elegant style.
Vintage conditions
Eccellent vintage either by volume and quality. Very balanced, healthy, perfectly ripe grapes, by all vineyards – different zones, for altitudes, exposure and microclimate it has been uniform, everywhere. We had peaks of unbelievable excellence, the structure of the grapes has also allowed us to macerate for a long time, and therefore we expect red wines that will express themselves well in the long term, the Sangiovese has given great results.
The weather was quite unusual in 2018, beginning with very rainy and cold conditions in February and March. While this precipitation was needed, bud break started late. While June and July were ideal, the conditions were quite variable from July 20 to August 23, with sultry heat and often afternoon thunderstorms. The last big storm hit the area end of August some later little rain enabled the grapes to reach their full maturation. At harvest the grapes showed wonderful condition, very fresh and well ripe, giving a classic style wine with plenty of harmony and balance. The quantity were also good. Before the summer we expected to start the harvest at the end of September but the Sangiovese was ready before then in the majority of the territory.
Frosts in April (18th/20th ), have hit some zones, going to jeopardize part of the budding that had been from good to excellent in the whole region. This gave negative repercussions on all subsequent phases. The year was then marked by the high temperatures and the drought that affected the whole region, difficult to compensate through irrigation rescue operations because of the lack of rain. These conditions have resulted in an insignificant incidence of disease in the entire region and in healthy grapes, with a higher gradation than the last five years. The drought damages the youngest Sangiovese vineyards. The rains at the beginning of September have instead raised the grapes quality level in our oldest vineyards. Harvest was anticipated 18/21 days.
Excellent vintage. It was a generally regular climate year, without health issues for the vineyards. the only event to attract the growers’ attention was the lack of rain late July during veraison, but the drought was relieved by rain in late August and early eptember. Steady warm weather without peaks of excessive heat in the final month maintained the balance and helped the grapes to ripen perfectly without over-maturation.
Excellent vintage. The weather was extremely regular and respected ideal conditions at every stage and season. A cold and relatively dry winter. A spring characterised by wet weather in March and April, and dry weather in May and June, always with regular temperatures, guaranteeing perfect growth of the vegetation and excellent flowering and fruit set of the grapes. The summer was hot, with maximum temperatures in July, but also featuring very positive temperature swings from hot days to cool evenings and nights, which ensured constant growth of the bunches without stress. The month of August, which was also hot, was characterised by sporadic rainfall that ensured a good start to the ripening of the crop. Harvesting took place between mid-September and early October in dry and windy weather.