Il Borghetto, Monty, IGP, Tuscany, Italy, 2021

Producer Profile

The Azienda Agricola Il Borghetto do things differently in this most well-known and prestigious of Italian wine regions.

Led by owner and winemaker Antonio Cavallino, there is a determination to show the potential of the region. As a result he is at odds with the Consorzio of Chianti Classico over his methods and approach, with incredible results which shows that a little rebellion often pays off. With only a third of the 30ha estate under vine producing less than 1600 cases a year they are a small, but a bright thread in Chianti’s tapestry.

Viticulture

By treating Sangiovese more like Pinot Noir, Antonio manages to explore new and thrilling nuances of the variety through harnessing all the vivacity of organically and biodynamically cultivated fruit, and fermenting in concrete. The wines are then bottled in burgundy-shaped bottles as it’s his firm belief that this aids the wine’s development, as opposed to the region’s more traditional bordeaux-shaped bottle. But such bold divergence from the norm has resulted in the wines being declassified to IGP status. Yet with a plethora of top accolades from the well regarded L’Espresso guide and praise from the likes of Jancis Robinson, their approach has been unequivocally validated.

Winemaking

The wine undergoes a natural fermentation in concrete tank with native yeasts and is racked off the skins very early, followed by 8 months ageing in concrete tank for beautiful integration whilst retaining all the life and freshness of the wine.

Tasting Note

A delightful pale garnet red wine with lifted aromas that instantly charm with delicate wild strawberry and tangy cranberry fruit. The palate is complex, the finish is long, and the tannins are fine, supple and effortless. A rare expression of Sangiovese showcasing its versatility.

Food Matching

Served chilled. the ideal accompaniment to seafood pasta with a hint of chilli, and the bolder flavours of Asian cuisine.

Awards