
The Piemaggio estate is located at Le Fioraie, a hamlet on the north-western side of the Castellina in Chianti territory, along the road to Poggibonsi, in the heart of the historical Chianti Classico. Piemaggio is the name of the farmhouse in the centre of the estate. The most ancient part of the farmhouse dates back to the XI-XII century AD. The remains of an age-old 'Pieve' (church) in the heart of the property, bear witness to the agricultural vocation of the site. Religious orders in the middle ages acted as the custodians of agricultural knowledge, handing it down throughout the centuries.
The name of the estate, Piemaggio, probably originates from the presence of the Pieve ('Pie') located on the highest hillside ('maggiore') in the estate.
The drawing with the three flower sellers, repeated on the wine labels, has represented the identity of the wines since 1954. Le Fioraie, in Italian 'the flower sellers', is the name of the place where the estate is located.
“Legend has it that the name of Le Fioraie is linked to the pilgrim friar who passed by the estate, many centuries ago, one day in a very hot summer. The pilgrim, exhausted after so much walking in the excessive heat, fainted. Three sisters, local flower sellers, saw the friar crumple on the ground and offered him a glass of wine to revive him. The friar thanked the flower sellers and resumed his pilgrimage, but he never forgot the place. After a few months he returned, started building a small church and planted a few vines."
We'll never know whether this tale is history or legend: however, the three flower sellers are the symbol linking the wine to its place of production, A direct homage to this magical corner of the Chianti Classico area.
The vineyards at Piemaggio cover over 12 hectares. The vines, all trained with the Guyot system, grow on a number of separate hillsides with south and south-westerly aspect. The altitude sits between 380 and 480 metres above sea level, with slopes of variable steepness.
Thick woods surround the vineyards on all sides. Together with the altitude and the constant breeze, the presence of the forest helps protect both vines and grapes from damaging summer droughts.
The galestro and alberese soils, part of the geological heritage of Chianti Classico sites, guarantee perfect drainage of the vineyards: an essential feature for the healthy development of the vines.
At Piemaggio, the Sangiovese grape variety reigns supreme, covering about 10 hectares in total. The clones used in the vines have been carefully selected: at the moment, six have been identified.
Colorino, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo are the other vine varieties typical of the Chianti Classico territory that grow on the estate besides Sangiovese. Lastly, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes grow towards the production of an IGT wine.
600 olive trees grow on the estate's grounds, producing an extra-virgin olive oil with all the typical features of a Tuscan oil from the Chianti hills.
The cellar
The cellar at Piemaggio is situated roughly one kilometre from the farmhouse and the vineyards, as the crow flies. It was modernised in 2014, with the purchase of new 100HL steel vats for controlled temperature fermentation.
The ageing phase takes place within 110HL vats in fiberglass concrete. During this important part of the process, the vats help preserve the integrity and freshness of the Sangiovese grown at Piemaggio.
The cellar also hosts 25HL French oak barrels as well as 5HL tonneaux, also made of French wood, used for the Chianti Classico Le Fioraie, Chianti Classico Riserva Le Fioraie and Piemaggio, an IGT wine.
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Ruby red with soft purplish reflections. Rich and complex on the nose, very reminiscent of small fruits of brambles, black cherry and a very delicate hint of softwood. On the palate it is decisive, complex and extraordinarily persistent.
Review:
Complex aromas of ripe fruit, toffee, cedar and smoke. Medium body, round and creamy tannins and a fresh, juicy finish.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Pago de Carraovejas Cuesta Liebres is made from 100% Tinto Fino. The plot is located on a terraced hillside located at 900 m above sea level with slopes that range between inclines of 30% and 40%. Red cherry color with purple hues. Ripe fruit aromas, vanilla notes. Suave and unctuous in the mouth. A strong and noble character.
The harvest is carried out by hand using small crates and after passing through a refrigerated container it is transferred into tanks via gravity. The alcoholic and malolatic fermentation is carried out in small French “Haute Futaie” Oak casks with unique and original local yeasts and fermenting bacteria from the vineyard itself, to bring out the very best of the terroir, respecting the uniqueness of each and every vintage. Clarified with egg whites and bottled by gravity with natural cork stoppers.
Review:
A benchmark Ribera del Duero when it comes to quality. Expect the fine integration of high-grade wood, showing notes of peppermint, spices, truffles, dark chocolate, grilled herbs and dark cherry and blackberry fruit. More restrained in oak use compared with the old vintages for sure. Full-bodied and resolved, with seamless, powdery tannins and a juicy, tightly wound finish. Even, polished and effortless for such remarkable balance. It has a high level of concentration, with plush, integrated oak. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 95 Points