Le Miccine – Gaiole, Chianti Classico, Tuscany

The Le Miccine estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region between the towns of Radda and Gaiole. The 7 hectares of vineyards are farmed organically and owner/winemaker Paula is equally exacting in her management of all facets of the winery and business. These are real, hand-crafted, artisanal wines from hillside vineyards in one of the most sought after Classico sub zones. Terroir here is light and the altitude contributes to the cool micro-climate that is essential in producing mature, ripe Sangiovese. Her aim is to produce wines representing the traditional Tuscan varieties in isolation.

The Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese showing fresh violets and blueberries with sweet cherry fruit and smooth grained tannins. The Chianti Classico Riserva is 95% Sangiovese with 5% Malvasia Nera selected bunch by bunch for concentration and depth. The superb concentration sees Paula use French oak 350l & 225l barrels of 2nd to 4th passage for 24 months. The Riserva from Miccine is, as one would expect from Paula’s exacting standards, an uncompromising selection of exceptional, dark fruit vinified to express of the quality of the vine and the land. The Carduus is 100% Merlot (prior to Paula owning the estate this fruit made its way into the Chianti). Only three barrels are made using French oak (225l & 350l, 1st-3rd passage) for the aging. It is big and bold and has subsumed all the oak over its 24 months affinamento into its spicy, plummy & dense bouquet. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 100% Sangiovese aged in barrique for 30 months.