Chianti Classico DOCG “LE CRETE”
GRAPE: 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 10% Colorino
CITY: Castellina in Chianti
SOIL: Clay – Iron – Hillside South exposure
COLOR: Deep ruby-red with purple highlights
NOSE: Bursts with well-defined blackberry, plum and violet
TASTE: Medium-bodied, crisp and vivid, it has fine tannins and a long delicious finish
Tech Sheet
Borgo Pretale is far removed from the blockbuster Tuscan wines made famous over the last decades, when wine writers drove the concept of full bodied powerful fruit bombs so deeply into the public consciousness that many winemakers even in the most traditional zones started to follow the fashion. Nowhere was this more of a sin than in Tuscany, where the lively dancing aromatics of Sangiovese became masked by the addition of Cabernet/Merlot and even Syrah, not to mention plenty of oak and tannins. This is truly a shame in one of the world’s most unique vineyard areas, and one whose wines could never be made elsewhere. In fact, efforts to cultivate Sangiovese elsewhere have been rather unimpressive, since this varietal is very hard to control, especially where it is very warm and sunny (such as Napa).
Borgo Pretale Classico is a refreshingly traditional wine of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Colorino, and only large oak influences. The wine maintains the elegant aromatics of Sangiovese and carries through to a velvety finish. This is true Chianti Classico, nothing to shout about, but a sheer pleasure to drink. Because of its relatively lower alcohol it will go down fast and you will sell a second bottle if you are attentive enough. Tastes great at cool cellar temp.
