About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Romitorio di Santedame is a limited-production Gran Selezione from a single vineyard at the Santedame estate in Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. The site lies within the region’s “Conca d’Oro.” For the 2022 vintage, the vineyard is identified at 430 m above sea level, with shale and calcareous marl, abundant rock and a moderately deep, silty-sandy-clayey soil profile.
The wider Santedame estate occupies the Conca d’Oro’s south-facing slopes. Its steep vineyards have dry, windswept galestro at the surface, while the highest areas experience marked temperature swings between hot days and cool nights. The estate covers 250 hectares, including 70 hectares under vine.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. Latest published vintage (2022): 98% Sangiovese and 2% Colorino. Colorino is an indigenous Tuscan variety that had nearly disappeared before being revived through research and preservation work.
Vinification
For the 2022 vintage, grapes were rigorously selected in the single vineyard. Alcoholic fermentation and approximately 20 days of maceration took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats.
Ageing
The 2022 wine matured for 30 months. Sangiovese spent 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks, while Colorino matured in barriques. After blending, the wine rested in concrete vats and then spent at least three months in bottle.
Technical data
- Vintage: 2022
- Alcohol: 15.5% vol.
- Production: no more than 15,000 bottles
- Certification: 2022 was the first certified-organic vintage
Tasting profile
The 2022 has an intense ruby-red colour. Its aromatic profile opens with pronounced spice, followed by coffee, liquorice and cocoa. Fruit emerges with sour cherry and blackberry, then gives way to bitter herbs and toasted nuances. The palate is warm, muscular and full-bodied, with assertive tannins and a persistent, savoury finish.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18°C.
Vintage notes
Romitorio di Santedame is reserved for exceptional years. Published releases comprise 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022. The 2022 growing season was warm and low in rainfall, followed by balanced conditions during harvest. It was also the wine’s first certified-organic vintage.
Label / history
The Santedame estate traces its history to the fifteenth century and takes its name from the Santedame Chapel. A holy woman shown in the chapel’s restored fresco appears on the estate’s labels. Romitorio di Santedame connects this heritage with the recovery of Colorino and the expression of a single vineyard in the Conca d’Oro.