~ Elisabetta Fagiuoli is the owner of Montenidoli ~
Montenidoli is a natural oasis high atop the hills overlooking San Gimignano. Since being acquired by proprietor Elisabetta Fagiuoli in 1965, the estate has become certified organic and a haven for wild birds.
To gain an understanding of Elisabetta’s drive and commitment to the Tuscan earth, let’s hear her in her own words.
“When we arrived, in 1965, the land was abandoned: the woods had invaded the fields, the olive trees were running wild, the vines were covered by bushes. We committed ourselves to the soil, and tried our best for a new beginning. We began to breed rabbits as their manure was very good for fertilizing the soil; we bought worms that we spread in the fields to make humus and soften the earth. We pruned only in winter when the vegetation was dormant. All the cuttings were ground and fermented to make a compost to go back to fertilize the plants. We followed the rules of nature that are dictated by the weather, the days and the seasons.”
Today the estate encompasses 200 hectares and not unlike Campochiarenti, the soils are strewn with seashell fossils and other marine deposits.
~ Montenidoli’s vineyards overlooking San Gimignano ~
The 2022 Montenidoli Vernaccia is vinified in stainless steel tanks and glass lined concrete vats. As a result, the wine represents a sort of “stripped down” version of Vernaccia. Indeed, Elisabetta calls this her most traditional white as the label says. It’s a medium gold in color with aromas of almond, white flowers and lemon zest. On the palate, this is fairly linear, with stony, mineral driven citrus fruit. The body is light to medium and although it added a bit of weight as it warmed, I would have liked additional body. We enjoyed it with a piece of aged gouda – but I think it worked best with the apps we had on the Rustic Tuscany Tour – fried zucchini, fried porcini, etc… 87 points. Find this wine.
~ This is a clean, very traditional Vernaccia that needs appropriate food or cheese to bring out the fruit ~
Montenidoli has been a regular on the Rustic Tuscany Tour. We spend several hours there touring the property, tasting and being regaled by Elisabetta. She is a tour de force and captivates the guests.
~ The Rustic Tuscany Tour Group tasting with Elisabetta at Montenidoli ~
Fattoria Rodano calls Castellina in Chianti home. Since the 16th Century the estate has been in the hands of the Pozzesi family; a miraculous feat unto itself. Today the property is managed by Enrico Pozzesi who assumed the day to day responsibilities from his father. Despite the age of the estate, the family have only been bottling their own wines since 1967. Rodano is certified organic and farms just over 100 hectares of vines.
I last reported on Rodano when the 2017 was released and today’s example, not surprisingly, is a much better wine. The 2019 Fattoria Rodano Chianti Classico is primarily Sangiovese with a small percentage of Canaiolo and Colorino. No international grapes are used. In the glass, the wine is a medium to deep ruby in color. On the nose, the wine opens with some “farm funk” but that does not reflect the wine in the glass. The flavors are focused on black cherry, leather and powdery minerals. After about 60 minutes, the funk on the nose disappeared and crushed cherry, mulch and leather aromas appeared. Decant this for at least 30 minutes if trying now. I rather like this. This is clean with juicy red fruit flavors. It shows interesting complexity and is well balanced. Good value too. About $21. 90 points, Find this wine.
~ Rodano’s Chianti Classico is excellent and is often a value ~
As a little additional bonus, in the picture above, you also see the Contucci, Palazzo Contucci Vino Nobile. This is a 100% Sangiovese wine and is the flagship of their production. It was stellar with slow cooked lamb ragu over Rigatoni. Really a special wine with availability directly from the cantina. You can make contact with owner Andrea Contucci through his Facebook page. They too, are a fixture on the Rustic Tuscany Tour.
Salute!
