The history of Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona winery begins in the seventeenth century when the Bishop of Montalcino and of the Sant’Antimo Abbey, Fabius de’ Vecchis, builds an episcopal palace in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the south-east quadrant of the current Brunello di Montalcino docg area. After the death of the Bishop, the palace and the related lands were bought and sold until the middle of the 20th century when they finally came into the possession of the Ciacci family which, shortly after, became related to the Piccolomini d’Aragona family, descendant of Pope Pius II. The numerous owners changes had made those lands neglected and we will have to wait for 1985, with the extinction of the house,for the bequest of those lands to the farmer of the estate Giuseppe Bianchini who will begin a path of modern and efficient wine production. Of the 220 hectares owned, by Giuseppe will destinate 55 to viticulture and 40 to olive growing, leaving this heritage as a dowry to his sons Paolo and Lucia at the time of his death in 2004.
On this land between 240 and 360 meters above sea level, composed of medium dough galestro of oceanic origin, Sangiovese Grosso has found a home, in particular a specific clone obtained from old vineyards present in the estate, mainly located in the vineyard “Pianrosso”, a vineyard of almost 11 hectares recognized as the oldest and most prestigious. The vinification of the grapes, and their aging, takes place in the new cellar of Molinello, near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, built at the end of the 90s and quickly became the heart of the company. It should not be forgotten, however, that Cicacci Piccolomini d’Aragona has a second wine cellar, built in the seventeenth century by Bishop de’ Vecchis, whose fascinating and evocative aging environments, which can be visited on request, host the oldest vintages of the most prestigious bottles.
In the range of wines produced there is a sort of Rosso di Montalcino selection, Rossofonte, a 100% Sangiovese Grosso that, as per the disciplinary, is vinified in stainless steel containers and vitrified concrete tanks, at controlled temperature. The aging of over a year, takes place in Slavonian oak barrels from 7.5 to 20 hectoliters and is followed by bottling, a short period of rebalancing in the bottle and marketing.
The 2016 vintage has a ruby color of medium intensity and great brilliance, with an olfactory range that opens on notes of Ravenna cherry, pomegranate, black cherry grenadine and pot pourri, followed by wild strawberry, raspberry, eucalyptus and vinyl, with concluding echoes of undergrowth and young leather. The palate shows the pleasant alternation between an idea of fruity sweetness and an acidulous astringency, enriched by thick but delicate tannins; all while red fruit and spices return to accompany the sip to a good length finish.
Rating: 87/100
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