Fattoria Il Capitano: modernity and versatility of the Chianti Rufina Riserva

Fattoria Il Capitano, a fascinating red wine journey through various vintages of the Poggio cru to find its development and capacity

The Azienda Agricola Balbi, called Fattoria Il Capitano, is a little family-run organization situated in Pontassieve, a couple of kilometers from Florence, in the heart of the charming Chianti Rufina location, among the most distinguished wine-growing locations although still unfamiliar of Tuscany.

2 words about Chianti Rufina

Chianti Rufina represents, in reality, a sub-area of Chianti Classico which stands apart for its qualitative quality and its excellent capability to reveal an area that has actually constantly been very matched to red wine. Found north-east of Florence, this little denomination crosses around 750 hectares of vineyards, welcoming the towns of Rufina, Pelago, Pontassieve, Londa and Dicomano. The history of Chianti Rufina has its roots in the Middle Ages, when the lands of Tuscany were currently well-known for the production of high quality white wines. Nevertheless, it was just in the 18th century that it started to combine its track record, thanks to the work of Cosimo de Medici and the excellent Florentine households who bought viticulture and the promo of regional white wines. Chianti Rufina got main acknowledgment as a sub-area of Chianti Classico in 1932, a testament to its particularity and originality.

The business, the area and its strengths

Nestled in between the Apennines and hills, this location delights in an ideal microclimate which offers the white wines freshness and fragrant intricacy. The clayey-limestone soil, on which the vineyards stand, likewise adds to increasing olfactory improvement and beauty. The estate crosses around 30 hectares of land, of which 20 are committed to olive groves and 8 to vineyards, and is surrounded by woods, a source of excellent biodiversity. Affirming to the occupation for hospitality is the lovely B&B, where visitors can unwind immersed in the Tuscan countryside while waiting to taste the white wines of the cellar, an exceptional beginning point for checking out the lovely environments. Established in 1877 by Francesca Campanari Balbi, the winery represents a historic truth of the area which has actually seen 4 generations of ladies prosper one another, who have actually kept household worths and farming custom alive for over a century. Today this vibrant truth is turned over to Stefano Alacevich and his bros, who produce red wine and oil here.

Il progetto Terrelecta

Fattoria Il Capitano is among the business taking part in the Terrelectae task, a choice of 21 manufacturers from Chianti Rufina devoted to producing white wines of the greatest quality through extensive viticultural and oenological practices targeted at making sure that the grapes collected on picked lands carry out at their finest. As the name itself recommends, the “Terre Elette” represent the vineyards of quality within the denomination, picked for their distinct qualities of soil, direct exposure and microclimate. These vineyards produce grapes of the greatest quality, which enliven remarkable great white wines, efficient in aging and enhancing gradually.

The white wines of Fattoria Il Capitano

The business presently produces around 3,000 bottles, consisting of various kinds of Chianti Rufina, the red Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT Cabernet Sauvignon “Voltorio”, the natural Rosato Toscano IGT “Torricella” and the Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina DOC, a real own work of art of oenology. Amongst the business’s flagship labels, the Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva Vigneto Poggio Terraelectae is worthy of a reference, a pure Sangiovese red wine produced from grapes from 25-year-old vines collected on the business’s cru. Found 150 meters above water level, this clay-limestone terroir delights in ideal direct exposure (north-west– south-east).

Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Poggio di Fattoria Il Capitano: in between custom and development

This red wine originates from a single vineyard situated 150 meters above water level, with north-west– south-east direct exposure and a clay-limestone soil, perfect for Sangiovese. The vines, trained utilizing stimulated cordon and Guyot techniques, are 25 years of ages and produce around 70 quintals of grapes per hectare. The improvement of Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva Vigneto Poggio lasts 30 months, of which a minimum of 18 in French oak barrels, followed by a duration in the bottle. This procedure offers the red wine a complex and unified arrangement, with notes of red fruits, spices and tobacco, making it perfect for accompanying red and breast meats, fully grown cheeses and delicious very first courses.

The improvement course towards a more enjoyable and modern Chianti

Because the arrival of the oenologist Maurizio Alongi, an excellent specialist in Sangiovese and Chianti, the business has actually been carrying out a procedure of extensive improvement, targeted at providing a more modern Sangiovese, efficient in satisfying the tastes of even the youngest generations. A red wine that on the one hand emerges as fresh, instant and enjoyable, on the other hand it protects all the refined beauty of this excellent Italian red undamaged, diluting its common solemnity. In connection with the past, the stylistic option stays to produce a Reserve comprised solely of pure Sangiovese, accompanied by the choice to present crucial modifications at the agronomic level and in production strategies. Amongst the primary developments, the shift from cordon to buyot, a kind of growing that ensures much better efficiency and calibration of the wood, which need to not be too intrusive, however need to just accompany the fruit.

Vertical tasting of Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Poggio

The vertical of the various vintages of Chianti Rufina enabled us to compare the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages, the last 3 signed with the voluntary cumulative brand name Terrelectae. This enabled us to keep in mind both the qualitative quality of this red wine and its evolutionary course.

Chianti Rufina Riserva– La Fattoria Il Capitano 2018

In the glass it appears ruby red with reflections that turn towards garnet. On the nose it shows diverse and extreme fragrances. Strong tips of spice with tips of liquorice and cloves accompany scents of ripe berries, plum and blackberries decorated with balsamic touches. On the taste buds the structure is robust and stylish, with still vibrant tannins, which highlight an enjoyable taste. A Chianti that wonderfully analyzes the most common and conventional character of Sangiovese.

Chianti Rufina Riserva– Vigneto Poggio– Terrelectae 2019

The 2019 vintage is beginning to reveal the very first indications of modification. With a brilliant ruby color, the fragrance opens with flower notes of violet, which link with subtleties of black cherry, raspberry and aromas of sweet tobacco. The taste buds is warm and enveloping, supported by vibrant, healthy tannins, which boost the tasty surface.

Chianti Rufina– Vigneto Poggio– Terrelectae 2020

The 2020 vintage currently completely reveals the originality of Chianti Rufina that the business wishes to propose, predestined to improve and develop even more in the following years. The eye is caught by the magnificent vermilion red colour, while the nose is seduced by the vibrant succession of various olfactory feelings, constantly defined by excellent skill and strength. Floral fragrances of iris and sweet violet pave the way to fruity notes of cherry and raspberry, accompanied by tips of balsamic and spices, with which they incorporate completely. On the sip it is fresh, vibrant and enjoyable, with healthy tannins, taste and freshness that accompany a long and rather relentless epilogue. The outcome is a red wine that ranges itself from the traditional Chianti, complex and requiring, to use a more enjoyable, instant and contemporary sensorial experience, efficient in revealing an excellent unique character.

Chianti Rufina Riserva– Vigneto Poggio– Terrelectae 2021

A still young red wine which nevertheless exposes excellent capacity. In the foreground fragrances of fresh fruit, flowers and spices. On the taste buds it is medium-bodied, with well balanced tannins and great level of acidity. The season saw a frost in April, a rainy and warm Might, and relentless dry heat till October.

The remarkable and unique place of the previous Barattini & C. Galvanotecnica Bugatti factory added to making the tasting much more extreme, a distinctive area situated in the heart of Milan, in the Tortona location, the outcome of a conservative repair which occurred in between 1996 and 1999 by the engineer Achille Balossi Restelli, with the creative consultancy of the designer Luigi Caccia Dominioni.

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