CHIARA CONDELLO
Predappio
Emilia Romagna
Chiara continues a long family legacy of winemaking in Predappio, a small town in the south of Emilia Romagna. To this day, her parents produce wine under their own label Condé, but Chiara decided to pursue her own project as she developed her ideas and winemaking philosophies. Chiara owns nearly 5ha of vineyards planted to Sangiovese, a variety that has a long history in Emilia Romagna (albeit overshadowed by its huge success in nearby Tuscany). Many ampelographers believe the variety originates here, and producers such as Chiara demonstrate its suitability to the calcareous spungone soils that line the foothills of the Apennines.
Since the beginning, she has farmed organically and favours manual work wherever possible. Inspired by the late Tuscan legend Giulio Gambelli, Chiara's work in the cellar includes open-top fermenters with extended maceration - whole clusters when ripeness permits - and a preference for ageing in large neutral vessels. The result translates in to complex, layered wines with high-toned aromatics.
Predappio Tre Vigne
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Romagna, Emilia Romagna
Varieties Sangiovese
ABV 14%
Soils Clay, limestone, Pliocenic sandstone (Spungone)
Farming Organic
Winemaking The harvest is manual and the work in the cellar are governed by the principle of respect for the grapes and the timing required by Sangiovese. Fermentation vats are filled by gravity and wine macerates on the skins for approximately 30 days. The ageing takes place in a combination of Slavonian oak barrels and stainless steel before being completed in the bottle.
Tasting Note Rich and complex, but not overpowering. Beautiful balance between acidity and silky tannins on the palate. The nose is fruit-forward with hints of sweet vanilla.
Le Lucciole
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Romagna, Emilia Romagna
Varieties Sangiovese Piccolo
ABV 14.5%
Soils Clay, limestone, Pliocenic sandstone (Spungone)
Farming Organic
Winemaking The fruit for Le Lucciole comes from a tiny 0.8ha parcel planted on a south-east facing, mid slope rich in Spungone (aka decomposed marine fossils). The reason that sets this wine apart and makes it a Riserva is in fact the high content of this peculiar mineral present in the soils which enhances the best qualities of Sangiovese Piccolo. Fermented entirely in wooden vats over 35-45 days and then transferred to 35hL Slavonian oak barrels to age for a minimum of 2 years (12 months more than the Tre Vigne)
Tasting Note Displaying an intense dark red colour. On the nose offers an array of vivid ripe red fruit and sweet spices aromas combining with fresh hints of undergrowth, while the palate reveals a full bodied structure and remarkable grit. Velvety tannins and a salty-savoury quality on the finish with a lovely acidity keeping everything in focus. A fine interpretation that celebrates the Romagna terroir revealing it in all its splendour.