About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The vineyards lie on the stony clay-limestone soils typical of Chianti. The limestone helps the vines retain freshness and gives the wines structure, while the clay holds moisture, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly even in hot years. Tuscany's warm Mediterranean climate, with differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures, helps the grapes reach phenolic ripeness while retaining acidity.
Grapes
Sangiovese with the addition of other local red grape varieties; no proportions are given.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in neutral vessels at a controlled temperature. Regular pump-overs give gentle extraction of colour, tannins and aromatic compounds.
Ageing
18 months in French oak barrels. The long ageing softens the tannins, gives a silkier texture and adds notes of vanilla, almond and fine spice to the fruit.
Tasting profile
Elegant, mature and expressive, with a refined character. Rich fruit with vanilla, almond and fine spice, silky tannins and freshness, and good ageing potential.
Serving and pairing
Suited to pasta, lasagna and other Italian dishes, particularly in autumn and winter.
Label / history
The bottle is inspired by the silhouette of the traditional Tuscan fiasco, which was traditionally wrapped in straw, and is a modern take on one of Chianti's best-known symbols.
The Melini house was founded in 1705 on the outskirts of Florence, in Pontassieve. Until the middle of the 19th century its wines were sold only on the domestic market. In 1865 Alfredo Laborel Melini created a woven straw covering for the bottle, allowing the wines to be transported safely abroad. In 1877 the Florence Chamber of Commerce awarded the house a diploma and Gold Medal for developing and strengthening extensive international markets for Tuscan wines. At the start of the 20th century Melini acquired around 200 hectares of vineyards in the Chianti Classico area and built a new winery in Gaggiano di Poggibonsi, where the company remains. Melini is part of Gruppo Italiano Vini.
