~ Gagliole’s vineyards are some of the highest in Chianti Classico ~
The Gagliole estate is owned by Monika and Thomas Bar who met in Tuscany on holiday and decided to move from their native Switzerland in order to pursue their passion for wine in the place where they first met. Although the Estate is located in Castellina in Chianti, the property’s vineyard holdings are split evenly between Castellina (10 hectares) and Panzano (also 10 hectares). Through constant renewal and dedication to detail, the Bars carefully manicure their vineyards which are now between 2 and 40 years of age. Today we’re discussing the estate’s flagship wine, Pecchia.
The vines that provide the fruit for Pecchia are in Panzano at an elevation of 500 metres on the northwest ridge of the Conca d’Oro. Matured for 18 months in French oak barrels and an additional year in the bottle prior to release, Pecchia is the pinnacle of Gagliole’s production. It is produced only in the finest of vintages and dating back to 2010 has only been released three times. Pecchia is 100% Sangiovese and subjected to extreme hand selections before being fermented in stainless steel and then transferred to French oak barrique for 18 months. Once bottled, the wine rests an additional year prior to release. The 2015 is the latest release.
~ The entrance to the Gagliole farm in Castellina in Chianti ~
In the glass, the 2015 Gagliole Pecchia is a dark, deep ruby with crimson highlights. Upon first swirl, the wine releases wonderfully pure aromas of cherry jam, crushed berries and fresh flowers. Deep and complex on the palate; the first thing that strikes you is the silkiness and texture to this wine. Crushed, juicy wild cherries are prominent with hints of herbs, earth and licorice. Full bodied and round, this is elegant and caresses your palate from fore to aft. Long, long, juicy finish. Truly a benchmark and the best wine I’ve ever tasted from Gagliole. The only drawback is the price, but at least I can assure you that this will be one of the best wines of the 2015 vintage. 97 points. About $150. Not yet released.
~ Pecchia is a masterpiece in 2015 ~
Salute!
Wow…fire up ! ????
Why this is not bottled has CCGS…..Gran Selezione ?
Maybe because they could not charge this much ?
How many bottles where made..
I’m not sure that it’s only price. Some producers I’ve tslked to have told me it’s mostly that they’ve invested so much time, effort and money in their “brand” that they don’t want to change that. For example, Tignanello, Flaccianello, Cepparello, Fontalloro, Percarlo….. they could all be labeled Gran Selezione. But they never will be. I suspect the same applies to “Gagliole” and “Pecchia”. But yes, I suspect price plays a component since Super Tuscans can command more than Gran Selezione generally. I say generally because some, like Isole e Olena cost much more than Cepparello. Almost double in price in fact.
I understand the logic not to claim Gran Selezione but why IGT? 100% Sangiovese produced so why not be labelled Chianti?
Chianti is less prestigious than Gran Selezione. They could never sell it for the same sort of premium.
Ok, thank you John, so they are going for the super tuscan…