Description
Castello Tricerchi IuLi’O Sangiovese 2021 is a beautiful Chianti-style red wine but without any oak influence or ageing. This 100% Sangiovese is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks which means that the grapes retain their fruity flavours and aromas, principally a mix of sweet and sour cherries together with some crunchy cranberry and redcurrant notes. There are also hints of savoury aromas developing which is natural for Sangiovese and make the wine smell and taste older than it is. Spicy notes are also evident. All in all it’s quite a complex red wine, the complexity coming from the grapes and terroir rather than from any oak ageing. Swirl the glass to open up the aromas and flavours if it initially seems a little closed to you. Whilst Castello Tricerchi IuLi’O Sangiovese 2021 is classified by me as a soft fruity wine, it is not light; it’s a more medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and a silky smooth texture. It’s delicious and a lighter, unoaked Sangiovese alternative to the Castello Tricerchi’s Brunello di Montalcino.
This large family-owned estate and castle in Tuscany dates back to the thirteenth century and was completed by the Tricerchi family in 1441, one of the most renowned noble families in Siena. Today it is owned and run by the Squarcia family, descendents of the Tricerchi. Only about 20 hectares of the 400 hectare estate are cultivated as vineyards so it fits the Wines With Attitude® ethos. The family works with consultant oenologist Maurizio Castelli and has been tweaking its winemaking philosophy. They farm according to organic principles and in the winery naturally-occurring yeasts are used for spontaneous fermentation. Castello Tricerchi IuLi’O Sangiovese 2021 is the only one of their wines that has not seen any oak in the winemaking process and this is because they wanted a wine that would purely express the fruit characteristics of the Sangiovese grape.