2019 Troncone Toscana Rosso from Le Ragnaie ($26!) & other high elevation Sangiovese we're LOVING... Plus our newest arrival from Lecci e Brocchi!

My original title for this email was "Too High for Brunello"... but it didn't pass the initial proofing for obvious reasons. Despite the humor, the nixed headline references something special about the Troncone bottling from Le Ragnaie in Montalcino. According to the technical sheet provided by our supplier, the Sangiovese for this wine is picked from vineyards planted above the 600 meter elevation limit to be considered "Rosso" or "Brunello di Montalcino," though the vines do fall within the DOC(G) boders. "The estate spreads across 42 acres, 12 of which surround the cellars of Le Ragnaie," writes the estate's California distributor. "These vines are the highest of any in Montalcino, in an area that became famous for bird-catchers." The producer's name and logo pay hommage to these hunters, who would use a large, spiderweb inspired nets to capture the birds. In Italian, "spider" is "ragno" from which Le Ragnaie is derived.

A clear black cherry hue in the glass. On the nose, the Troncone has lovely red berries, small plums, dried red and purple flowers, a touch of warm ginger, and lightly tilled garden soil. Flavors are sparky, with snappy cherry, zesty black pepper, and a core of brisk minerality. The finish is bright and citrusy. Very cooling in structure, with a great, lapping texture on the tongue, with medium acidity and just a dash of tannin.

"The combination of a high elevation and a young, dynamic winemaker makes Le Ragnaie a true breath of fresh air in historic Montalcino," continues the CA distributor. Riccardo Campinoti purchased the property in 2002. He is dedicated to organic farming (practicing since '05; certified in '08). In the cellar, all Riccardo's wines are fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats. Wood aging in done in large-Slavonian oak vessels. This is true low-intervention winemaking that highlights an exceptionally unique part of this famous Tuscan appellation. Full of life, this wine will be a refreshing compliment to grilled meats and veggies this summer!

From Montalcino, we're also highlighting the Fornacina 2015 Brunello. In his tasting note below, Jamie Wolff describes the altitude of the Fornacina Sangiovese vines as being rather high at 400 meters, which could be one of the reasons the wine has lovely freshness, especially for the hot, hot '15 vintage.

Next, we're flying to Lamole in Chianti, which is also famous for high elevation vineyards. We've long

been impressed with the wines of I Fabbri - and we currently have three different bottlings in stock. Like the Le Ragnaie, there is exceptional vigor in these wines. Clean, bright, and full of fruits and earth that pop on the tongue. We're down to our last bottles of oh-so-drinkable 2019 Fiasco from the estate - don't miss them!

Lastly, we're very happy to introduce you all to our newest arrival from our friends at Lecci e Brocchi in Chianti. The 2018 Ragonaia has more density than the other wines on this offer. Less acidity and more richness and dark fruits.

In the glass, the wine shows a lovely black cherry in color. On the nose, the wine is soft, with savory red plum, red flowers, and dark citrus peel. Flavors of ripe red cherry and minerally earth. Generous on the palate, showing medium acidity and fuller but woven tannin.

In my experience, consumers often pass over Sangiovese because they assume it is a simple grape that only produces simple wines. Those jugs of thin red labeled "Chianti" that used to sit in our grandparents' refrigerators definitely didn't help promote the grape's quality. But in reality, in both Chianti and Monalcino, there are serious wines being made that reflect the landscapes they've originated. High altitude? You can taste it! And you know what? I think you'll love it. David Hatzopoulos