Rodano's Chianti Classico reflects a sense of place and tradition

Rodano Chianti Classico (DOCG) 2019, 14.50% ABV

RRP: €23.80. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

“Reflects a sense of place and tradition”

Our gorgeous Chinati Classico has a bright ruby colour with a garnet rim. Aromas are soft but fairly intense with cherries, forest fruit and an earthy hint. The savoury fruit is well balanced by the striking acidity and the long finish is enhanced by lingering red fruit flavours plus a hint of smoke.

Importers Le Caveau are happy with it: “..great to taste a

wine with ripeness and a crunchy acid and tannic freshness in lovely harmony”. So am I. It certainly sings of those Tuscan hills. And it also illustrates what a truly splendid grape Sangiovese is; not only Tuscany's greatest grape but also one of the very best of the world's red wine grapes. It gets better with every sip and is Very Highly Recommended.

In VINO, Rodano is named as one of the Exceptional Producers in Chianti Classico, a region between Florence and Siena. It is part of the much larger Chianti zone where, according to VINO, industrial producers dominate.

This organic Classico is produced with 90% Sangiovese and 5% each of Colorino and Canaiolo. Oak aging is done in large Slovenian botti di rovere which impart little more than a seasoning, allowing the purity of the fruit and balanced structure to shine on their own merits.

Sangiovese is the queen or king grape, the most widely planted red, not just in Tuscany but in Italy. The grape itself is “the most diffuse, most intensely studied, and along with the Nebbiolo of Piedmont, (the) most important native red grape of Italy”, the quote from Vino Italiano (2005).

* This post is part of a series of Italian wines produced by usually small or medium-sized organic wineries made from native grapes. Taking some “guidance” here from the recently published VINO. Mightn’t always net the hat trick but hope to score two from the three each time. I have quite a few lined up but I’m happy to consider any suggestions or help. #OrganicItaly

By the way, our recently started #OrganicItaly list is building up nicely. Details here.