Sangiovese, Le Ragnaie 'Troncone'

The artist formerly known as 'Chianti Colli Senesi.' Riccardo grew annoyed with the DOCG administration as for the second time in eight years the Colli Senesi was turned down DOCG status due to too pale of color. 'Troncone' translates to 'stump' and it is the nickname given to Riccardo's grandfather and Ric wanted to honor his grandfather with a wine. It also made sense as there is a large tree stump in the middle of this block thus a bit of a double meaning.

The grapes come from the highest part of the Ragnaie vineyard, above the 600 meter threshold that the government slapped on Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino production, prior to 2016. The grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted, fermented without any additives in concrete tanks spending just other two weeks on skins; this adds complexity and a tight, tannic structure. The juice is then racked to Slavonian cask where it rests for 12 months and then an additional six months in concrete.

Like previous vintages of this site, the wine is bony and taught. It offers generosity in concentration of aroma and flavor but not the aroma or flavor in itself. Aromas of cranberry and cherry abound with laurel leaves and wet stones. The palate extends with bright red fruit continuing to be layered over a frail skeletal structure.