Mazzei Siepi Toscana

Key characteristics:

Mazzei Siepi Toscana is a prestigious Super Tuscan, celebrated as “one of the 50 wines that changed Italy wine style” by Gambero Rosso. Crafted by the Mazzei family, who have been winemakers for over 600 years across 25 generations, this wine originates from the unique single-vineyard site of Siepi. It represents a masterful blend, conceived in the early 1990s, where the indigenous Sangiovese finds its perfect complement in Merlot, first planted in the Siepi vineyard in the early 1980s.

Tasting Notes:

• Variety: 50% Sangiovese, 50% Merlot
• Appearance: Ruby red with purple reflections
• Aroma: Monumentally built, showing crispy notes of elder, plum, berries, sandalwood and tobacco
• Taste: A sophisticated, well-structured wine with a very long, bright finish
• Region: Toscana IGT. The Siepi vineyard, located in Castellina in Chianti, sits at an elevation of 220-310 meters (850 feet) with a south-southwest exposure. Its unique terroir features a mix of limestone marl, Alberese, schist, sandstone, and clay soils, surrounded by oak forests that contribute to biodiversity and a beneficial diurnal temperature range.
• Pairing: Pairs well with rich, flavorful and textured dishes including game meats, dark sauces and hearty vegetables. Excellent with roasted lamb or beef, aged cheeses, and even dark chocolate desserts.

Overall impression:

Mazzei Siepi Toscana is a powerful and opulent Super Tuscan that beautifully marries the plush sweetness of Merlot with the elegant structure and finesse of Sangiovese. It offers a richly layered and sleek profile, delivering superior structure and sophisticated elegance.

Extra notes:

• The Mazzei family has a profound history in winemaking, cultivating vineyards for over 600 years since 1435.
• An illustrious ancestor, Ser Lapo Mazzei, penned the first known document using the “Chianti” denomination in 1398. Another, Filippo Mazzei, was a close friend of Thomas Jefferson and is credited with inspiring the phrase “All men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence.
• The wine undergoes meticulous aging for 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new) before a finishing period in concrete tanks, contributing to its complexity and refinement.