Tuscany IGT 'Vigorello' 2019 (750 ml.) San Felice

THE WINE

The 'Vigorello' by San Felice was born in 1968 as the first Supertuscan ever produced in Chianti Classico, a pure Sangiovese. In 1979, the partnership between Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon began, and in 2001, Merlot was added to the blend, which completely replaced Sangiovese in 2006. In 2011, a turning point was reached with the introduction of Pugnitello, an indigenous grape variety rediscovered through studies in the Vitiarium, which has since formed, along with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, the blend of Vigorello, marking its uniqueness and a return to the most authentic Tuscan roots. Aromas of currant jam, spicy notes, and underbrush. The taste is warm, complex, tannic with slight hints of vanilla. It pairs well with grilled meats, pigeon and lamb roasts, and aged cheeses.

THE COMPANY

San Felice is a historic winery in Chianti Classico, located in the eponymous locality in the territory of Castelnuovo Berardenga. The first wine productions in the ancient Pieve San Felice in Pincis date back to the Etruscan era and saw significant development starting from the 1400s, as historical sources testify, maintaining itself over the centuries and achieving important successes during the 1900s, also thanks to brilliant insights. The winery assumed its current form in 1978 when it was purchased by the Allianz group, and it grew to the point of acquiring other smaller wineries. Today, it includes, in addition to the scenic estates of Chianti, the Campogiovanni estate in Montalcino and the Bell’Aja estate in Bolgheri.

The San Felice estate, the main site of this large production reality, extends over more than 650 hectares, of which 140 are dedicated to vineyards. The happy combination of climate, soil, and exposure ensures the perfect ripening of the red grapes cultivated, particularly Sangiovese. The maintenance of ancient terraces divided by dry stone walls and a sustainable approach called "precision viticulture," aimed at limiting treatments, allows for the preservation of biodiversity. The experimental project "Vitiarum" also involves the maintenance of 270 ancient grape varieties collected in 1.6 hectares of vineyard to prevent them from falling into oblivion, thus preserving the ampelographic heritage typical of the area. The Campogiovanni estates extend over 65 hectares to the southwest of Montalcino, while the more recent Bell’Aja in Bolgheri currently spans just over 6 hectares.

The wines of San Felice are celebrated expressions of the Tuscan territory, known and appreciated by more generations of wine lovers. The “Vigorello,” for example, introduced back in 1968, was the first example of a Supertuscan and continues to amaze and excite today. Another historic label is “Il Grigio,” an intense and traditional expression of Chianti Classico. All other labels also reveal a classic and well-established approach, behind which lies the great success of this winery in the world.