~ Cantina Le Pupille ~

“This land is my choice of life, as making wine has always been my profession….”  

Since she was 20 years old, Elisabetta Geppetti, a fiery redhead with passion and youthful energy to match,  knew that she wanted to make wine at her family estate.  After a remakable 30 year career she has created one of the most significant wine estates in the Maremma and has been instrumental in bringing the recognition so deserved to this winemaking region along the Tuscan coast.

Since 1992 she has served as President of the Morellino di Scansano Consortium; the first woman to serve as head of any Consortium in Italy. She has earned the title of how many refer to her: The Ambassador of Maremma.

~ Antiqued map of the Maremma region ~

The heart of the Le Pupille Estate revolves around two of the greatest vineyards in Maremma; Saffredi and Poggio Valente.  The former is a small 5 hectare vineyard that was originally conceived and planted in 1987 with the help of renowned consultant Giacomo Tachis.  The Poggio Valente vineyard was planted in 1970 and the 14 hectares of Sangiovese there produce grapes that give amazingly full bodied, luscious wines that can rival the best Sangiovese from anywhere in Italy.  Then, in 1997, a small parcel of Merlot was planted in the Poggio Valente vineyard.

~ The Poggio Valente Vineyard ~

Today we’re looking at the latest release of Poggio Valente, the 2013.   Through the 2012 vintage, the wine was denoted as a Morellino di Scansano Riserva, but with the 2013 vintage, that designation has been dropped.

The 2013 Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Valente is 100% Sangiovese that continues the legacy of wonderful wines from this vineyard.  Fermented in stainless steel, the wine is then racked to 500 and 600 liter tonneaux where it ages for approximately 2 years before spending an additional time in bottle before release.

Being familiar with this wine, we decanted the 2013 about 60 minutes before dinner.  What originally seemed like a tightly closed wine began to blossom as the wine aired and warmed.  Deep rich cherry aromas are notable and accented with hints of vanilla, sage and fennel seed. On the palate, this young Sangiovese is full bodied with tannins to match.  Chewy, ripe, juicy wild cherry flavors dominate but mocha, anise, and roasted nuts are already adding a certain level of complexity.  Needs some time in the cellar to settle down and flesh out; my typical and consistent take on this “brick house” of a Sangiovese.  Built to age.  And built well.  92 points.  Price varies wildly, so shop smartly.   Find this wine.

~ Lovely Poggio Valente 2013 resting in the decanter ~

There are many other data points for Poggio Valente (1997, 2007, 2009, 2012) on this site, so use the Search Feature to access them as well as the many articles on Le Pupille.

Buon fine Settimana!

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