~ The new Antinori winery is a modern, sleek, architectural wonder ~

Antinori’s Pèppoli estate is located three miles to the northeast of the Tignanello estate and extends over a total surface area of 250 acres,  125 of which are planted to vines which produce the Peppoli Chianti Classico.  Oddly, the vineyards face east-northeast and, despite this unusual exposure, benefit from an ideal micro-climate.  In fact,  they were purposely arranged within a small valley that maintains warmth on the mineral-rich rocky soils.  Located a bit further north in the Chianti Classico zone,  the diurnal temperature swings are ideal for the maturation of Sangiovese.  While most of the Peppoli Estate is planted to Sangiovese, there is a small percentages of Merlot and Syrah which are used in the wine.  The estate is also home to some of Antinori’s largest olive oil production as there are over 5,500 trees planted across 67 acres.

~ Antinori’s Barricaia showing the glass enclosed observatories built in above ~

The new winery on the estate was completed in October 2012 and built from locally sourced materials.  A state of the art facility, it is partially above and mostly below ground so as to minimize the effect on the overall landscape.  All phases of production are accomplished at the winery and each phase is carried out manually.  Each process is controlled and fed by gravity.

~ The new winery is barely visible over the silhouette of the landscape ~

The 2015 Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico is another example of the wonderful 2015 vintage.  A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and Syrah, the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then assembled for maturation in large slavonian cask.  Total wood aging last 9-12 months depending upon the character of the wine.   The 2015 is a gorgeous ruby color with pretty violet reflections throughout.  I admit, I was skeptical about this wine.  It had been years since I tasted Peppoli and it had never really wowed me.  In fact, I think if you search this website, you won’t see a review for it at all before this one.  Perhaps the vines were too young the last time I tasted it? Perhaps it was a mediocre vintage?  I don’t remember.  But this vintage has certainly put the wine back on my radar.

On the nose, the wine displays classic aromas of blue flowers, fresh green herbs like lavender, rosemary and cypress, lots of crushed berry fruit and soft hints of spice and vanilla. It’s more complex than you might expect for a wine at this price point.  On the palate, the wine is ripe and refined.  Juicy, with lots of mouthwatering red fruits, soft baking spices, hints of Tuscan underbrush and fresh, dusty minerals on the finish.  There’s nothing to complain about here.  Drinks very well now but will easy last and gain some complexity over the next 3-5 years.  Worth grabbing a few and given the wide distribution should be fairly easy to find.   88 points.  About $18.  Find this wine.

~ Welcome back my friend ~

Salute!

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