2018 Villa Saletta Chianti Superiore DOCG

The year 980 is the first year in which the first observations of wine making were found at Villa Saletta. There is a whole history behind a winery, which is why they make their wines completely traditionally. Since 2000, the winery has been owned by Guy and Julia Hands.

Only perfect berries are used, using small new barrels of Allier French oak with integral fermentation. Perlè vats are also used that create a 'redox atmosphere'. This reduces the amount of oxygen to which the grapes are exposed, so that the first drops of wine develop slowly on the skin. This retains freshness and aroma while extracting color and roundness for an elegant and supple soft tannin structure.

In all wines, the must undergoes complete malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels. This converts the sharp acids into softer, more buttery flavors. They are one of the few Italian companies that do this complete (and expensive) mallolactic fermentation in new oak and it is a technique that is more associated with the (top) Bordeaux wines.

The DOGC Chianti Superiore is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and is produced according to the traditions of this Tuscan heritage. The grapes are picked variety by variety, lightly crushed and then fermented in stainless steel at temperatures between 26° and 28°C. The period of skin contact is approximately 10 days for Sangiovese and 15 days for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The extraction techniques aim to maximize aroma and fragrance, soft and supple tannins, and emphasize acidity and savory, mineral character. The wine matures further in Slavonian oak barrels after which it receives another year of cellar maturation before bottling.

In the glass, this Villa Saletta Chianti Superiore has a ruby red color with violet hues. Fresh nose with an attractive cherry note, with dark blackberries. It has a full, intense aroma, reminiscent of floral and red fruit notes. On the palate the wine is fresh, supple and well balanced with a complex consistency, reminiscent of hints of violets, cherries and vanilla. Polished and juicy in the beginning, showing red berry fruit, in the final clear aromas of wood, caramel and hazelnuts, then dries slightly.

91/100 James Suckling