Revisiting Villa Rosa Ribaldoni

~ Vineyards on the Villa Rosa Estate ~

Villa Rosa is one of the jewels in the Famiglia Cecchi crown that is located Castellina in Chianti.   Purchased in 2015 from the Landini family, who had farmed the estate for over 70 years, it was mutual friend Giulio Gambelli that brought the families together.  It seemed the perfect alignment because as Giulio was known to say: “At Villa Rosa, the Sangiovese grows very well.”

With that endorsement in hand, the Cecchi’s began an intensive soil study on the property and isolated the perfect vineyard for planting Sangiovese;  Ribaldoni.

The Ribaldoni vineyard sits at approximately 300 meters above sea level and consists mainly of albarese clay and seabed calcareous materials.  Although the estate is a concise 36 hectares, it is divided into 5 distinct vineyard parcels. Four of those parcels contribute fruit for the estate’s Gran Selezione but Ribaldoni is devoted solely to Chianti Classico.

~ Vineyards in Castellina in Chianti ~

I’ve tasted the subject wine of this article on several occasions but after a reader of mine mentioned that it was showing really well, I decided to revisit it.  I am glad that I did.  My reader was correct and now my only regret is that I don’t have enough of this wonderful wine.

The 2016 Villa Rosa Ribaldoni Chianti Classico is a dark, violet color in the glass.  Immediately the aromas make themselves noticeable and seem to rise effortlessly from the glass.  Wonderfully floral with rose and lilac character, this evolves into crushed cherry and cured meat as the wine remains open.

On the palate is where this Chianti Classico has really improved after its post bottling slumber.  The mouthfeel is round and luxurious with ripe cherry, cola, sweet tobacco and spice notes.  The perfectly woven acidity creates wonderful freshness without any harsh edges.  The soft, powdery tannins linger on the finish where cured meat notes emerge.  I just love this and although the estate produced a 2015 Gran Selezione, the 2016 was the debut vintage for Ribaldoni.  This is a vineyard to watch.  93 points and a great value. Now available through Volio Imports.   Find this wine.

~ The color of this pure Sangiovese is gorgeous and it’s not often that you find a single vineyard devoted to Chianti Classico ~

The last time we tasted together, Andrea Cecchi told me how excited he was about acquiring Villa Rosa. He thinks this property will be among the best he owns as the vineyards begin to mature.  We will stay tuned!

Salute!