Appassite means ‘wither’ and for this wine, Piccini allows the grapes to dry lightly on the vine before pressing. Similar to the methods used in Veneto for Amarone wines, but with a shorter drying period, this concentrates the fruit flavours and sugars, producing a wine with intense body, flavour and colour. The blend is 50% Chianti’s native Sangiovese, partnered with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Syrah. Pressing is soft and vinification slow and careful, with minimal oak influence. A wine of power and breadth but also balance, Luca Maroni has consistently awarded this wine 99 points, and has even named it his Number 1 Red Blend of Italy, saying : “Its difficult to improve any parameter relating to the quality of this wine. The consistence is evident, the solid fruit character, smooth and creamy expression is immediate on the palate. The perfect balance caresses the mouth, soft and long the aromatic persistence. The deep inky purple colour underlines the absence of oxidative notes. An archetypal wine, harmonious, where the purity of vanilla and mulberry notes dominate the persuasive aftertaste.”
2022
99 points Luca Maroni
