About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Siepi comes from its namesake vineyard in Castellina in Chianti, at 260 m above sea level with a south–southwest exposure. The predominantly Alberese soils support vines aged 25–38 years, trained to spur-pruned cordon and Guyot at a density of 4,500–6,500 plants per hectare.
The site lies on a plateau illuminated throughout the day and enclosed by oak woodland. This setting produces pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The Sangiovese parcel faces south on a 12% slope at an average elevation of 240 m; its selected biotypes contribute concentration, complexity and acidity suited to long ageing. The Merlot parcel faces southwest on a 5% slope at an average elevation of 250 m. Its soils combine calcareous and marl schist with highly evolved clay.
Grapes
50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot. Merlot was planted at Siepi in the early 1980s to complement Sangiovese with colour, softness and opulence, while Sangiovese supplies structure, elegance and acidity.
Vinification
The 2023 grapes were picked by hand, beginning with Merlot on 13 September and Sangiovese on 2 October. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks at 26–28°C. Merlot remained in contact with the skins for 14 days and Sangiovese for 18 days.
Ageing
The wine matured for 18 months in small French-oak barrels, 70% of them new. Merlot was aged in barriques and Sangiovese in tonneaux. A further three-month finishing period in concrete tanks preceded bottling in June 2025. Release was scheduled for September 2025.
Technical data
Toscana IGT. Alcohol: 14.50% vol. Total acidity: 6.09 g/L. Production: 35,000 bottles. Formats comprise 750 ml, 1.5 L, 3 L, 6 L, 12 L and 18 L. The 750 ml bottles are packed six to a wooden case; the larger formats come in individual wooden cases. Ageing potential exceeds 20 years.
Tasting profile
Monumental in structure, with crisp notes of elder, plum and berries accompanied by sandalwood and tobacco. The finish is exceptionally long, bright and clearly defined. Its overall profile balances elegance, power and complexity.
Serving and pairing
Suitable for rich, structured dishes, preparations with dark sauces, game and blue cheeses.
Vintage notes
The 2023 season began with a mild winter and limited rainfall. Spring was rainy and initially cooler than average before temperatures rose rapidly, encouraging steady, even vegetative growth. Budbreak began around 10 April, and flowering started on 1 June following increasing temperatures and periods of rain, including some heavy precipitation. Rain diminished and temperatures increased during summer, thickening the grape skins and increasing berry volume. Timely intervention and continual monitoring following the wet early season produced healthy grapes with character. The estate rated the vintage “Good.” The broader harvest ran from 11 September to 10 October 2023, with recorded rainfall between 597.7 and 1,203.8 mm from 1 January through 10 October.
Label / history
The Mazzei family inherited Siepi and Fonterutoli in 1435. A family-archive document records the property among the holdings of Madonna Smeralda Mazzei as land adjoining the house and planted with olive trees, vines and oaks. Siepi later became renowned for its Sangiovese plant material, and the estate's extensive massal-selection work began in this vineyard.
The first vintage of the modern wine was 1992. Its name is taken from the historic Siepi property and vineyard.
