Castello di Monsanto Riserva Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. Riserva
An accessible example of the unique style and character of Castello di Monsanto wines. This multi-faceted wine can be enjoyed straight away or left to develop and evolve as the years roll by. It is our most widely produced wine by far, underlining our winery’s belief in Sangiovese, which acquires a strength and energy from our soil that must be patiently awaited. One of the oldest wines in Italy, it appeared on the market in the 1960s and has become an ambassador for the entire denomination around the world.
Designation
Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. Riserva
First year of production
1962
Grape varieties
90% Sangiovese; 10% Canaiolo and Colorino
Training system
Guyot and spurred cordon
Vinification
In temperature controlled truncated conical steel vats with emptying system (Délestage) and pumping over for about 18/20 days.
Maturazione o invecchiamento
50% in 5000 litre Slavonian oak casks and 50% in French oak barriques for 18 months
Ageing
Six months of bottle aging
Climate trend
An early spring and warm May and June got the vineyards off to a good start, but record high temperatures accompanied by exceptionally low rainfall in parts of the region from mid-July through early September stressed the vines and slowed down ripening. Abundant rainfall at Monsanto through the first three weeks of September slightly diluted the grapes. The weather turned beautiful at the end of the month, allowing the harvest to begin in early October.
