Castello di Monsanto
The Estate
Castello di Monsanto is located in Barberino Val d’Elsa in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti. Aldo Bianchi, a Tuscan native, purchased the property in 1960, and two years later his son Fabrizio, who had planted new vines on the land, vinified the fruit from the Il Poggio vineyard at the estate separately; this was the first Chianti Classico cru.
Today Fabrizio and his daughter Laura manage the property: of the 72 hectares of vineyards at Castello di Monsanto, 56 hectares are of the Sangiovese variety, which is the vine that the company has always put stock in, championed, and believed in right from the start. There is also a small percentage of the two historic vines that are used in the Chianti Classico blend, the Canaiolo and Colorino vines, among others. Then, indoors, the carefully established and perfected facilities continue with the impressive 300 meter long wine tunnel (which was hand-dug by three 79 year old men decades ago) that links the cellars both old and new. These cellars echo with history and fragrances and are where, “tomorrow’s wines are maturing and those of yesterday rest, with a reserve of historic vintages equal to few in the world.”
The Wine
As for the wines, the Monsanto style is one that has been so consistent for years. There is excellent depth of fruit, with ideal ripeness; there is never an overripe or jammy sensation. Oak adds a hint of spice, but in a very subdued manner and the tannins are gently presented. The complexity of these wines, combined with a true sense of place, give these wines their identity. Examples of Monsanto Chianti Classico, be it the normale, riserva or the Il Poggio bottling, are graceful, wines that never announce their presence, but reveal their true nature after some time in the glass and bottle.
The oldest of their wines is, of course, this aforementioned Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Il Poggio that was born in the Il Poggio vineyard in 1962 and was the first Chianti Classico Cru. Made of 90% Sangiovese and from 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino, it is aged for 20 months in French oak barrels and produced only in the best vintages and is the most famous product of the estate. The other Chianti wines include the Chianti Classico DOCG Castello di Monsanto and the Chianti DOCG Monrosso, which is the youngest and freshest wine from the company. In addition to these traditional Chianti reds, there is the Nemo IGT Toscana (a Cabernet Sauvignon), the Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay IGT Toscana, the Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto IGT Toscana, the Fabrizio Bianchi Rosato IGT Toscana (the rosé), and the Vinsanto del Chianti Classico DOC La Chimera.