{"product_id":"chianti-superiore-docg-2017","title":"Chianti Superiore DOCG 2017","description":"\u003ch4\u003eVineyard and winemaking\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Chianti Superiore comes from ten hectares of Villa Saletta vineyards on clay-limestone soils interspersed with sand and silt. The 2017 blend is 94% Sangiovese with 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, all harvested by hand and destemmed separately to respect the different ripening patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel at 26–28°C, with around two weeks of skin contact for Sangiovese and 20 days for the Bordeaux varieties. Gentle extraction favours perfume and supple tannins. After malolactic fermentation in tank and barrel, the wine matures for 14 months in second-use Slavonian oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eClear ruby red, with subtle garnet development at the rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eNose\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorello cherry and red plum lead into violet, dried oregano and orange peel, with quieter notes of tobacco leaf, hazelnut and warm earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePalate\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eFresh and savoury, centred on sour cherry and red berries with the lively acidity typical of Sangiovese. Fine, resolved tannins give shape, while gentle oak, dried herbs and a faint balsamic note carry the wine to a poised, appetising finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFood pairing\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn excellent partner for pappardelle with wild-boar ragù, pork loin with fennel and crackling, aubergine parmigiana or grilled lamb chops with salsa verde. Its acidity also cuts neatly through a rich mushroom and Taleggio polenta.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eBackground story\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eVilla Saletta lies in the Pisan Hills, where its history as a wine-producing estate can be traced through centuries of Tuscan agriculture. Since Guy and Julia Hands began restoring the property in 2000, vineyards have been replanted alongside woodland, olive groves and other farming, reviving the balance of a traditional fattoria.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSangiovese remains central to the estate's Tuscan identity. Here, small additions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon soften the variety's edges without masking its cherry fruit, acidity or savoury character, while large Slavonian casks provide maturation with a restrained oak signature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Villa Saletta","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40198998196284,"sku":"VSCHIANTI17","price":22.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/1984\/8252\/files\/villa-saletta-chianti-superiore-docg-2017-0-standardised-600x960.png?v=1791378473","url":"https:\/\/sommelierschoice.co.uk\/products\/chianti-superiore-docg-2017","provider":"Sommelier's Choice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}