Intriguing and classy Super Tuscan, smoky and black-fruited with great aromatic complexity. From the ancient Pugnitello variety, native to Tuscany, and rediscovered by San Felice - the first to recognise its potential and still regarded its foremost producer.
Production
Produced on 8ha of the San Felice estate from the ancient indigenous grape variety Pugnitello, meaning 'little fist'. It was rediscovered in 1984, in conjunction with the University of Florence as part of San Felice's intensive research programme. The soil is predominantly calcareous marl with abundant gravel-pebbles, and Guyot and spur-pruned cordon trellis systems are used. The grapes are sorted before being destemmed and crushed. After fermentation, at 28-30C, the wine is racked and the grapes pressed. The wine is then moved to 225 litres French oak barriques, where it stays for 18-20 months, followed by 8 months in bottle.
San Felice Pugnitello 2019 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
An open, spicy nose with aromas of cedar, cherry, leather and forest fruits. The palate combines bitter cherry, ripe black fruits and mocha backed by smoky notes and well integrated spicy oak. The tannins are fine and evident yet well balanced with the fruit - giving a well-structured wine with dense, dark fruit offset by fresh acidity. Though approachable now it will continue to evolve over the next 5-10 years.
Food match
A big, expressive wine needing similarly boldly-flavoured food. Spicy stews, rich beef or lamb dishes, or classic Italian sausage all work well.
Info
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ABV
14%
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CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
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REGION/COUNTRY
TOSCANA, ITALY
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GRAPE
PUGNITELLO 100%
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CLOSURE
CORK
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WINEMAKER
LEONARDO BELLACCINI
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APPELLATION
IGT ROSSO TOSCANA
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ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
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Meet the producer
An outstanding Tuscan winery that has pioneered key developments in the Chianti Classico region for the last 40 years.
Based in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 30 miles south-east of Florence and at the southern end of the Chianti Classico zone, this reputable estate includes 140 hectares of vineyard, a cellar, around 17,000 olive trees, and a village with a prestigious hotel complex. Winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini crafts a portfolio of wines which is highly regarded and multi award-winning - classic expressions of high quality Sangiovese.
This is a pioneering winery - producing the fore-runner to the Supertuscans, Vigorello (the first wine in the Chianti Classico region produced using solely red grapes) in the late 1960s. This was followed by the introduction of Poggio Rosso in the 1970s (the first example of a Chianti Classico 'Cru'), and then by its partnership with the Universities of Florence and Pisa in the 1980s. At a time when other estates were focusing on international varieties, this partnership led to the development of its Vitiarium, or experimental vineyard, where it has cultivated and studied indigenous grape varieties (such as Pugnitello) for over 30 years. San Felice was also amongst the first Chianti Classico estates to produce a 'Gran Selezione' wine - a new classification introduced as the top quality tier for wines in the region - with the inaugural 2010 vintage.
San Felice lies adjacent to its sister property, Villa la Pagliaia - and has an additional estate, Campogiovanni, in Montalcino.