Description

First, Le Cinciole is easily one of my favorite Chianti Classico producers, as the wines are always so fragrant and beautifully aromatic, and on the palate consistently offer great finesse and layers of complexity.  The very special “Aluigi” from the estate’s Vigna Campo ai Peri vineyard is Le Cinciole’s first Gran Selizione release.  Located at 1600+ feet in Conca d’Oro (the “golden conch” recognized as one of the best crus in the Chianti Zone for its elevation, exposure and galestro-limestone soils) in the hilltop village of Panzano (subzone of Greve), Valeria and Luca Orsini have organically farmed their 11 hectares since 1991.

Handpicked, sorted and destemmed, 100% Sangiovese is fermented with indigenous yeast in cement tank.  Then the wine is aged in French oak for 24 months, returned to cement for another year, and finally rested in bottle for refinement before release.   ONLY 4,000 bottles have been produced.  And that’s the problem, as very little of this wine reaches the United States.

“The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri is fabulous. Bright, vibrant and intensely aromatic, the 2016 is total seduction right out of the glass. Intense floral/spiced aromatics, red/purplish berry fruit, spice, tobacco and mocha all race out of the glass in a wine that brilliantly marries power with finesse. The Aluigi is a Gran Selezione for the first time in 2016.  It’s quite simply one of the finest wines I have tasted from Le Cinciole.” – 96 points, Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

“As of the 2016 vintage, Le Cinciole’s Aluigi bottling has been upgraded from Riserva to Gran Selezione. It hails from a single, southeast-facing vineyard between 430 to 450 metres, boasting a strong presence of limestone-rich clay over Panzano’s classic pietraforte bedrock. This has quite a wow-factor, with arresting aromas of yellow broom, wild thyme and dried citrus. The palate is very mineral-driven and firm, though elegant in size and structure. Vigorous stony tannins wrap around a succulent core, while accents of leather and liquorice ring out on the finish.  Drinking Window 2022 – 2035.” – 95 points, Decanter Michaela Morris: My Top 10 Wines of 2021 (3/21)

“Deep, lustrous ruby. Fragrant and deep red fruit with iodine hints and a mere suggestion of oak. Elegant, concentrated yet not heavy. Supple cherry fruit with finely grained tannins. Still embryonic but showing great purity.” (WS- Jancis Robinson) 18/20