Poggio Scalette
History
From the early 1970’s Vittorio Fiore was the trailblazer for consultant wine makers in Tuscany. For years he helped produce some of the regions finest wines but, unsurprisingly, always wanted his own estate to practice his art. This fortuitous event came about in 1991 when he was able to purchase several plots of land and a rural building on the hill of Ruffoli in the commune of Greve right in the centre of the Chianti Classico zone. In 1996 he was able to augment his holdings further with the acquisition of an adjacent property with functional cellars and more space to develop. Today Poggio Scalette is run by his son Jurij, comprises 40 hectares but only 15 are devoted to vineyards. |
The vineyards
The vines are at an altitude of 400+ metres which is ideal for the making of finessed elegant wines of power and longevity. Equally important the vineyards have an average of 70 years and the eponymous Il Carbonaione vineyard of 5 hectares was planted in the decade after the First World War with the ancient Sangiovese clone of Lamole which is unique to these hills. The soil is galestro - the classic calcareous clay- which is the perfect medium for Sangiovese. Unusually for Toscana, Poggio Scalette’s vineyards are terraced and this was done long before Vittorio Fiore arrived.
The vines are at an altitude of 400+ metres which is ideal for the making of finessed elegant wines of power and longevity. Equally important the vineyards have an average of 70 years and the eponymous Il Carbonaione vineyard of 5 hectares was planted in the decade after the First World War with the ancient Sangiovese clone of Lamole which is unique to these hills. The soil is galestro - the classic calcareous clay- which is the perfect medium for Sangiovese. Unusually for Toscana, Poggio Scalette’s vineyards are terraced and this was done long before Vittorio Fiore arrived.
The WinesFour wines are produced, Il Carbonaione from the old vines of Sangiovese di Lamole. Capogatto, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, Piantonaia, made from 100% Merlot and a Chianti Classico.
Il Carbonaione is the flagship wine of the estate and has been produced from 1992, a year incidentally which was particularly wet in Tuscany. Il Carbonaione was picked in a rare dry period and that wine was a classic wine by any standards. It was a foretaste of what was to come in terms of the quality which is excellent in the lesser years and outstanding in the great years. Perhaps that is the true definition of a great vineyard in that it always produces great wine whatever the given vintage conditions. Il Carbonaione is fermented in open topped tanks and then matured for about 17 months in 350 ltr tonneau of which 50% are new each year, 90% French and 10% American. If one had to summarise the characteristics of Il Carbonaione it would be a wine of longevity, refined tannins, freshness, purity, power and density yet at the same time a wine of elegance and finesse. It is a rarity. It is the soil, aspect and the vines coupled with Vittorio Fiore’s talent as a wine maker that make Poggio Scalette one of the finest estates in Toscana. |
The Vineyard - Il Carbonaione
On these terraces are planted the vineyards called by the local peasantry “IL CARBONAIONE”, these are Sangiovese vines which were the first to be planted in the decade following First World War (1914-1918). This also follows the destruction of the largest part of Europe’s vineyards by the phylloxera plague which struck in the late 19th century. The vines have reached the venerable age of more than 90 years and which constitute, without the slightest doubt, one of the rarest (if not the sole) example of a Tuscan vineyard with this age. The vines are an important member of the large Sangiovese family known by the name of “Sangiovese di Lamole” and originated in the Chianti Classico appellation.
On these terraces are planted the vineyards called by the local peasantry “IL CARBONAIONE”, these are Sangiovese vines which were the first to be planted in the decade following First World War (1914-1918). This also follows the destruction of the largest part of Europe’s vineyards by the phylloxera plague which struck in the late 19th century. The vines have reached the venerable age of more than 90 years and which constitute, without the slightest doubt, one of the rarest (if not the sole) example of a Tuscan vineyard with this age. The vines are an important member of the large Sangiovese family known by the name of “Sangiovese di Lamole” and originated in the Chianti Classico appellation.
2016 - £195 per case of 6, IBWhat a crazy nose of pure fruit, featuring pressed violets, lavender, dark plums, cherry compote, orange rind, lemon zest, boysenberries, vanilla, Thai basil and bay leaf. The fruit is so overt and generous, yet presented in an unimaginably sleek way, the firm tannins keeping it compact and silky throughout, while the tangy acidity cuts right through to the long, structured finish. Drink in 2023.
97 Points, James Suckling FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1992 AVERAGE ALTITUDE: 450 Meters (1476 feet) above sea level SOIL: Sandy, rich in loam, quite rocky GRAPE VARIETY: Sangiovese di Lamole AVERAGE AGE OF VINEYARDS: Over 80 years FERMENTATION: 12 days in stainless steel tanks AGING: 14 months in 350 litre oak tonneaux barrels BOTTLE AGING: Minimum of 6 months ALCOHOL: 13,5 |
2016 - £195 per case of 6, IBA Bordeaux blend comprising of 25% of each Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 1000 vines planted in 2004, 25% of each variety. Fresh and perfumed, this really opens up in the glass. Lovely bright red toned fruit, super expressive, silky tannins and spicy aromatics – less dense than the Il Carbonaione - gorgeous floral lift – this will drink well straight out the gate. Lovely! 94-96 Points, Asset Wines FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2007 AVERAGE ALTITUDE: 400 Meters (1312 feet) above sea level SOIL: Sandy, rich in loam, quite rocky GRAPE VARIETY: 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot AVERAGE AGE OF VINEYARDS: 7 years FERMENTATION: 12 days in stainless steel tank AGING: 18 months in 225 litre oak barrels BOTTLE AGING: Minimum of 8 months ALCOHOL: 13,5 |
2016 - £360 per case of 6, IBProduced entirely from Merlot grapes in a vineyard located on the higher part of the Ruffoli hill in the heart of Chianti Classico. The wine opens with exuberant, rich aroma's which enhance the complex layers of fruit and luscious smooth tannins on the palate.
A very small production with very limited amounts released outside Tuscany. FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1999 AVERAGE ALTITUDE: 430 Meters (1410 feet) above sea level SOIL: Sandy, rich in loam, quite rocky GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Merlot AVERAGE AGE OF VINEYARDS: 15 years FERMENTATION: 12 days in stainless steel tank AGING: 18 months in new 225 litre French oak barrels BOTTLE AGING: Minimum of 6 months ALCOHOL: 13,5° |