…with Rick and Mary Homer
As we continued our drive winding through the Chianti region, the second winery we visited was:
AZIENDA AGRICOLA MONTEFIORALLE
Via Montefioralle 49
Greve, Chianti, 50022 Italy
tel: +39 055 853 538
E-mail: info@montefioralle.wine
Website: www.montefioralle.wine
Facebook.com/montefioralle
Azienda Agricola Montefioralle is a small family-run Chianti Classico winery. The vineyards, the winery, the cellar, and the shop are all located in the small medieval hamlet of Montefioralle, close to the town of Greve in Chianti.
With only 5 acres of vineyard, they are one of the smallest-sized wineries among the consortium of Chianti Classico producers. Their main production is wine in limited quantities. Every year approximately 10,000 bottles leave their cellar.
This winery was established in 1964 by Renato Sieni, who, upon retirement, took over the management of the vineyards that had been run by the priests of Montefioralle for centuries. With the help of his son Fernando, Renato planted new grapevines and started the production of a Chianti Classico wine called Santo Stefano a Montefioralle. This is how the production of Chianti Classico, granted by the local parish, started in Montefioralle.
When the church administration finally decided to give up the vineyard (in the ’90s), the Sieni family immediately purchased it.
Currently Fernando’s oldest daughter Alessia, together with her brother Lorenzo, and (of course) their father, Fernando, manage the production and commercialization of their Chianti Classico wine and olive oil.
As you can see from the photo provided, the view from the small tasting room we occupied was stunning.
In chatting with the our host, Manila (wife of Lorenzo Sieni) we discovered that although their wines are not carried in Canada, they are available in the USA market place. We learned they have travelled to New York and California to promote their wines.
During our visit, Manila invited her father-in-law, Fernando Sieni, to join us. This kind and welcoming gentleman did not speak English but Mary enjoyed speaking with him in Italian and translating to English for the benefit of Rick.
We had the pleasure of tasting of the following wines:
Chianti Classico 2015 Price: E 12
Nose: oak, barnyard, some brett
Palate: nose carries to the palate; smooth and silky in texture;
Finish: black fruits upfront; ripe mature tannins at the end; good intensity;
Note: tannins would benefit by aging (soften)
We agree it is Bronze Medal worthy
Chianti Classico Reserva 2014 Price: E 26
Nose: white pepper, vanilla, earthy, bing cherry
Palate: smooth as silk on the palate; nose notes carry to the palate; well integrated flavours, complex, good intensity;
Finish: Long, smooth, complex and inviting
We agree it is Gold Medal worthy
IGT Toscana Monteficale 2015 Price: E 28
Nose: intense, complex, deep aromas, multi-layered with eucalyptus, pepper, dill, cassis, and vanilla;
Palate: smooth as silk on the palate; intense flavours; nose notes carry to the palate;
Finish: very long, smooth and inviting, good intensity of flavours;
We agree it is Gold medal worthy
2014 Price: E 25 (for 500 ml)
Nose: almonds, apricots, dried fruits of kiwi, pineapple and plums
Palate: perfectly balanced with intense inviting flavours
Finish: long, intense and inviting
We agree it is a Gold Medal worthy
If you have the opportunity to purchase these wines or participate in a tasting of these wines, we recommend you do so.
Mille grazie to Manila for being such a gracious host and for the education and tasting experience provided. Special thanks to Fernando Sieni . . . รจ stato un piacere a conoscervi !