~ Fattoria Le Pupille is run by Elisabetta and her daughter Clara ~
Fattoria Le Pupille began its renaissance in 1985 when proprietor Elisabetta Geppetti began revitalizing the property and the vineyards around the town of Pereta in Maremma. Determined to make great wine, she enlisted the help of the late Giacomo Tachis, the Father of many great Tuscan wines. Together they replanted vineyards, analyzed soils and put Morellino on the map. Much has been accomplished since.
The Poggio Valente vineyard was planted in 1970 and the 14 hectares of Sangiovese provide grapes that produce full bodied, luscious wines that rival the best Sangiovese from anywhere in Italy. Originally a Morellino di Scansano, that designation was dropped beginning with the wonderful 2013 vintage. Poggio Valente has always been a wonderful, age worthy Sangiovese, but the older this vineyard gets, the more compelling the wine seems to get.
~ You can see the location of the Poggio Valente vineyard on this map as Vineyard #6, center right ~
The 2016 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 racked to 500 and 600 liter tonneaux where it ages for approximately 2 years before spending an additional time in bottle before release.
Deep ruby in the glass, the aromas from the wine are effusive straight from the bottle. Tuscan herb, wild flowers, crushed cherry and cigar tobacco are wonderful to smell. On the palate, the wine is sophisticated and suave. Full bodied, with significant but dusty tannins, the flavors consist of bright cherry, slightly toasted oak, tobacco and spices. This feels and tastes like a fine Brunello and that statement really makes this standout as a bargain given the $34 average retail price. 94 points. Find this wine.
~ The 2016 was served alongside heirloom tomatoes with burrata and Rigatoni with a beef short rib ragu ~
Salute!
