Mazzei Siepi 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 25 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Mazzei is a historic winery in Tuscany with a winemaking tradition dating back nearly six centuries. This iconic Super Tuscan is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot grapes, sourced from the single 6-hectare Siepi vineyard, one of the region's most celebrated plots, located approximately 260 meters above sea level in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti. Here, the vines, between 25 and 38 years old, are rooted in predominantly alberese soils and enjoy a south-southwest exposure. After the manual harvest, which occurs in two distinct phases depending on the grape variety, fermentation takes place separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wines are then aged separately for 1.5 years (in barriques for the Merlot and in tonneaux for the Sangiovese), with 70% of the wood used being new. Finally, after blending, the finished wine ages for 3 months in concrete vats. On the nose, the wine reveals a complex aromatic profile with notes of cooked raspberry, plum, and blackberry, violets, and lavender, followed by hints of licorice and red citrus fruits on a background of tobacco and sandalwood. On the palate, it is concentrated and rich, distinctive, and elegant. It has a smooth texture and chalky tannins. It is robust with a well-defined acidity. The finish is long, slightly warm, and floral. Try it now with a game stew, or leave it in the cellar for a couple of decades.