The year 980 is the first year where the first sighting of wine making at Villa Saletta has been found. A whole history behind a winery, which is why they make their wines completely traditional. Since 2000, the winery has been owned by Guy and Julia Hands.

Only perfect berries are used, using small new barrels of Allier French oak with integral fermentation. Perlè vats are also used, which create a 'redox atmosphere'. This reduces the amount of oxygen to which the grapes are exposed, so that the first drops of wine develop slowly on the skin. This preserves freshness and aroma while extracting color and roundness for an elegant and supple soft tannin structure.

In all wines, the must undergoes a full malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels. This converts the sharp acidity into smoother, more buttery flavors. They are one of the few Italian companies that does this full (and expensive) mallolactic fermentation in new oak and is a technique that is more associated with the (top) bordeaux wines.

The DOGC Chianti Superiore is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and is produced according to the traditions of this Tuscan heritage. The grapes are picked variety by variety, lightly crushed and then fermented in stainless steel at temperatures between 26° and 28°C. The period of skin contact is approximately 10 days for Sangiovese and 15 days for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The extraction techniques aim to maximize aroma and fragrance, soft and supple tannins, and emphasize the acidity and savory, mineral character. The wine is further matured in Slavonian oak barrels after which it is given a further year of cellar aging prior to bottling.

In the glass, this Villa Saletta Chianti Superiore has a ruby red color with violet hues. Fresh nose with an attractive cherry note, with dark blackberries. It has a full, intense aroma, reminiscent of floral and red fruit notes. On the palate, the wine is fresh, smooth and well balanced with a complex consistency, reminiscent of hints of violets, cherries and vanilla. Polished and juicy at the beginning, red berry fruit shows, in the final then clear aromas of wood, caramel and hazelnuts, then dries slightly.

90/100 James Suckling