Fattoria Cerbaia Chianti Classico 2011
Actually, it is high time to report about this winery. I have been buying olive oil from the Chollet family for years - and with the last order, wine again. And wow, it blew me away.
I still remember the first time we crawled up the steep access road full of potholes to the Fattoria in our little Fiat 500. We rented a small holiday flat on the estate, and it was one of our most beautiful Italian holidays ever!

14.5 hectares are cultivated according to organic criteria. In addition to Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Trebbiano and Malvasia are cultivated. Louis Chollet, who at that time was the only inhabitant of the estate, comes from a winegrowing family from Bordeaux and decided without further ado to prove his skills with the Sangiovese grape.
And wow, -he really succeeded!
The Black Rooster, Il Gallo Nero, is dense and complex.
The seal of quality, or rather the indication that we are here in the core area of Chianti, the "Classico".
And I am very impressed. Here comes power, body, an incredibly well-balanced interplay of tannin and acidity. Cherry compote, some vanilla, caramel, warm liquorice and light eucalyptus. A perfect example of what Sangiovese can do when allowed to rest and mature!
Handpicked, spontaneously fermented and aged for 12 months in French oak.
I ordered 6 bottles, told everyone about this wine and brought it to tastings. I'm out of it and desperately need more!
Fattoria Cerbaia
Strada di Cerbaia 16
50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (FI), Italia
www.cerbaia.com