Chiara Condello Emilia Sangiovese Riserva Lucciole 2020

OCTOBER 2024 WINE CLUB

Sourced from a tiny parcel of old Sangiovese wines within Chiara’s property, which is unique for its east-facing exposition and poor soils,  'Le Lucciole' (the fireflies) represents Chiara's Riserva bottling and it continues to be nothing short of illuminating, a remarkably fresh and cool-toned expression of Sangio. Grapes are hand-harvested and partially destemmed; fermented on indigenous yeasts in upright, open-top wooden fermentation tanks, without temperature controls. The wine is aged for 24 months in older Slavonian oak cask, then 12 months in bottle. Le Lucciole’s bouquet is captivating, brooding with red plums, currants, violets, dried roses, black and green peppercorns, balsamic, and cinder. On the palate, supple, velvety textures release tart cherries brought to life by vibrant acidity, as saline minerals, almost briny in quality, saturate the palate and hints of fine tannin add balance. It descends towards a spicy, smokey and extremely lengthy finish. This 2020 vintage in particular is just super expressive and giving, needing only a light 15 minute decanting. Chiara is truly one to watch.