~ Circa 1920, the Tuscan Estate of Principe Corsini ~
The unspoken duty of the Corsini family has always been to leave a positive mark on the world. This is the credo that influences their daily lives. Over the centuries, the family has had roots in finance, politics and religion. Today, those roots firmly rest in the agriculture and lands the family safeguards to ensure that only natural, organic Chianti Classico is produced at the family’s Villa Le Corti estate near Val di Pesa.
The Corsini family purchased the estate in 1363, a decision that was determined by the high quality of the land and the close proximity to Florence which was central to many of the family’s concerns. In addition to premium wine production, the estate includes an Osteria, a cooking school, an agriturismo and an olive mill.
~ The Villa Le Corti estate boasts a cooking school and full fledged agriturismo ~
Located between Florence and Siena, the Villa le Corti extends over 250 hectares, 49 of which are vineyards planted with Sangiovese to produce Chianti Classico while 73 hectares are devoted olive groves. I first tasted the subject of today’s article last December and it made a positive impression. I think this most recent tasting was even better.
In 2018, I introduced the estate’s original Gran Selezione – the 2015 Don Tomasso. Today, we’re discussing their newest Gran Selezione, ZAC. First produced in 2008, ZAC is 100% Sangiovese from a 2.5 hectare single vineyard on the property with optimal exposition. Vinified in stainless steel, the wine is then aged for 18 months in used barrique before a year in bottle prior to release.
The 2016 Corsini Gran Selezione ZAC is what I like to call a brick house of a Sangiovese. In my tasting last December it was reserved and tight. It still is, though it’s starting to show more complexity and stuffing. A medium ruby with violet reflections, the wine is very pretty to look at. Although we decanted the wine for a little more than an hour, it’s apparent this is built for the long haul.
Rosemary, crushed cherry, mineral and blood mark the nose of this interesting Gran Selezione. On the palate, the wine is linear and massive. A laser beam of juicy cherry fruit is punctuated by leaf tobacco, dried herbs and minerals. Yet all the while, you sense this is struggling to break through a wall. It’s exuberantly trying to explode but it’s just not there yet. Large scaled tannins make this less approachable without food. I really like this but as per my earlier review, it needs 5-8 years in the cellar. 94 points. Find this wine.
~ ZAC is named in honor of Anna Corsini, the Aunt of Tomasso Corsini. Her grandchildren affectionately called her ZAC which stands for “Zia Anna Corsini” ~
In addition to the link above, Villa Le Corti also has an E-Commerce portal for shopping their wines and other products. Salute!
