2018 MACCHIONA

TRY ME IF YOU LOVE: Chianti

ABV: 14.0%

GRAPES: Barbera, Bonarda

TASTING NOTES: The bouquet is rich with dark berries, leather, charred wood, and vanilla bean. The palate opens up to flavours of cedar, ripe black fruit, more leather, big tannins and nice acidity. The finish is long and mouthwatering. Drinks beautifully now but also has great potential for further ageing.

PAIRS WITH: Hearty dishes, charcuterie, rich cheeses, red meats

SERVE ME: Room temperature, decant briefly if you can.

Macchiona is the name of a hillside farmhouse that is now part of La Stoppa, an ancient wine estate in Val Trebbiola, in the province of Piacenza. It's now run by Elena Pantaleoni using biodynamic practices, who took the reigns a couple of decades after her family purchased the land in the 1970s. Many old vines (all traditionally Bordeaux varieties planted by the previous owner) have been replaced with local types such as Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Barbera and Bonarda. Her commitment to natural production, minimal work in the cellar, and showcasing the excellent terroir yield wines of character, freshness, and style.