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
One part aged in 3800 litre oak casks and the other in second passage tonneaux for around18 months
Ageing
Six months of bottle aging
Climate trend
2018 started with early budding due to above average temperatures in March and April, followed by a fairly rainy May. From June 10th onwards, temperatures started rising again and we had a good summer at Castello di Monsanto with little rain in the month of August.
Veraison began in late July and continued quite slowly in the month of August. Summer temperatures were within the norm. In September, particularly, we had a succession of sunny days with considerable day-night temperature variation, allowing the grapes in our area to achieve the expected level of phenolic and aromatic ripeness. The red grape harvest began in mid-September and finished in mid-October. All the wines from the 2018 vintage are showing a great fruitiness and a remarkably well-integrated acidity with an important tannin structure.
