For a new estate, where the vines are just a few years old this is an impressive start.
I was drawn to this new 6 hectare estate because of the common ownership by the Chianti Classico estate, San Felice. I’ve been selling their wines for some twenty years now and long term customers might remember their joint project with the University of Florence to reintroduce the Pugnitello grape to the higher echelons of Tuscan wine making.
San Felice has long been a favourite estate of mine so this new project instantly caught my eye. Situated near another HarperWells favourite and Ornellaia’s next door neighbour Le Sondraie, this land of the Super Tuscan. International varieties dominate and San Fiorenzo is no exception, with 4 hectares of Merlot and 2ha of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine spends 12 months in French oak and is as classical as you get from this region. Ripe fruits, layered with richness and complexity, tannins are integrated and soft and the best bit – utterly delicious and eminently drinkable. I was drinking the 2017, there is need to cellar this but it has a few years left in it yet if you want to.
Bolgheri DOC’s proximity to the coast brings a cool climate to the vineyards and a freshness to the wine. Currently under £20 this is a Super Tuscan bargain I for one will be wholeheartedly taking advantage of.
VERDICT: This autumn, fill your wine racks with this.