Rare Wines. Two great (international) reds from Tuscany and Piedmont

Aug 31 2022, 11:59 | by Gambero Rosso

Can Pinot Noir and Merlot grow in Tuscany and Piedmont? Yes, with great results. We offer you two great signature reds produced respectively in Castellina in Chianti and Castagnole delle Lanze. The former is made by Podere Monastero, the boutique winery of Alessandro Cellai, and the latter by the winemaker Gianni Doglia.

When we think of Tuscany and Piedmont, several great Italian reds immediately come to mind, led by as many traditional grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, capable of giving life to prestigious, long-lived, and very authentic wines. But the variety of Italian production certainly does not stop there. We were impressed by the quality of two wines obtained from Pinot Nero and Merlot, two great international grape varieties which, finding their ideal habitat, can give us reds of great texture, finesse, and depth even if not native to the area.

We offer you two reds that come from small and well-kept vineyards: one is in Tuscany (home to an amazing Pinot Nero) the other is located in the Asti area where there are a few rows of Merlot. In the first case, we are talking about Podere Monastero, Alessandro Cellai's flagship, the first vintage dating back to 2006. Continuing north, then, we reach Castagnole delle Lanze where the great winemaker Gianni Doglia produces a few but precious bottles of Merlot.

wine

La Pineta 2020

Podere Monastero

Tuscany

red

Score:

/100

VINEYARD | A few rows planted in the same ridge where the grapes used for Casa di Bianca, the company's true cru for Moscato d'Asti, grow. It is a soil rich in limestone and clay, and it was here, more than 20 years ago, that Gianni Doglia wanted to plant his first vineyard. The idea was to have an alternative grape to moscato or barbera but still ideal to bring out the Asti terroir. The choice went to merlot, an international variety that was enjoying an excellent reputation in those very years. 600 rootstocks were planted, in the shade of a large oak tree, exactly the number of bottles currently produced. Since then the plants have remained the same, the...

wine

Piemonte Merlot ! 2019

Gianni Doglia

Piedmont

red

Score:

/100

VINEYARD | A few rows planted on the same ridge where the grapes used for the Casa di Bianca grow, a real company cru for Moscato d'Asti. The soil is rich in limestone and clay and it was here, more than twenty years ago, that Gianni Doglia wanted to plant his first vineyard. The idea was to have an alternative grape to Moscato or Barbera but still ideal for bringing out the Asti terroir. The choice went to Merlot, an international grape variety that was enjoying an excellent reputation in those years. Six-hundred cuttings were planted in the shade of a large oak tree, exactly the number of bottles currently produced. Since then the plants have remained the same, the...