Rocca delle Macie

Vernaiolo is one of the oldest members of the Rocca delle Macìe family and has always been the winery's most traditional example of Chianti. Its name derives from the Latin vernāle, meaning "of spring", indicating the time of year when the Chianti was bottled after it had survived the winter. Even today, this lively, ruby-red wine is ready to drink in the spring after the harvest and retains its fresh and fruity characteristics for a long time.

Fruity red with lots of dried berries and a hint of dried flowers and a touch of milk chocolate. Medium body, round tannins and a fresh finish. Delicious and very enjoyable. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sweet-blackberry and orange-peel aromas with a medium to light body, fine tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

As the name Sasyr should tell us, this wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. Only 15 percent of the Sangiovese matures for six months in large oak barrels, the rest comes from stainless steel. Sasyr is a fresh and harmonious red wine for many occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

Traditional Chianti Classico Riserva: Ruby red, intense and refined bouquet with fruity aromas and a very gentle hint of vanilla and tobacco. Powerful on the palate, with a persistent flavour, well-balanced tannins and nicely defined body. Great length and impressive storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling garnet red with ruby reflections. In the nose with aromas of herbal spice, noble wood, red pepper, and plum jam. Mouth-filling on the palate, with noticeable acidity, with soft bitter notes and broad tannins." Falstaff

"Savory plums, mushrooms, leather and spiced oranges on the nose, with a medium-bodied palate rounded by firm but polished tannins. Elegant and refined." James Suckling

"Boasts juicy cherry, blackberry, plum, earth and tobacco aromas and flavors, with undertones of leafy underbrush. Firm and balanced, with a lingering aftertaste that echoes the fruit and picks up a mineral note." Wine Spectator

"Another great classic from Zingarelli family’s estate, from Castellina in Chianti area. Sangiovese, with Cabernet and Merlot to enrich the blend, berry jam on the nose, with notes of iris and peony. The mouthfeel has iodine-brackish tannins, with floral-fruity return and good persistence." Luca Gardini

Bright ruby red. Warm, balsamic bouquet of black cherry, some plum and redcurrant syrup, then firm, complex and spicy on the palate, the fruit nicely present and with a beautifully long finish with notes of leather and sweet tobacco. The well-structured tannins perfectly round off the overall picture of a serious red with personality and character. Ageing for 20/24 months in French oak barrels (25-35 hl), followed by another year in bottle, enriches the aromatic complexity of the wine with a clear focus on balance and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. In the nose of plums and Amarena cherries, in addition elderberries, mint, remotely reminiscent of red-baked apple. On the palate juicy, radiant, spreads over the tongue with great play and lots of tension, slightly salty, finesse-rich and long finish." Falstaff

"Sergioveto is a reinvention of sorts. While it used to be an IGT blend of international grapes with Sangiovese, as of 2015 it is a single-vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva crafted exclusively from Sangiovese and aged in large French oak barrels. I applaud the new direction here: assertive and characterful, the 2018 exhibits pepper and rosemary with compelling notes of lavender and iris poking though. It is unpretentious, balanced and speaks of the vintage. Dusty, clayey tannins frame the palate and inner-mouth perfume of fennel, anise and orange give lovely lift." Decanter

"A really bright, fruity red with blackberry and cherry aromas and hints of orange peel. It’s medium-bodied with a very tight palate and an intense finish. Very tight and firm. Needs a year or two to open." James Suckling

"Single vineyard situated in Pian della Casina, the traditional finesse and balanced manufacture. On the nose, dark notes from wild plum and cassis, hints of eucalyptus and beautiful balsamic closing. Taut mouth with a nice taste thickness. Velvety and elegant tannins. Ending on a beautiful balsamic note in the aftertaste." Luca Gardini

Deep purple. Spicy Cabernet nose of herbs, fine blackberry notes, ripe cassis, some chocolate and wild raspberries. The pronounced fruit carries this monumental, single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon into the long final. The tannins provide a stable framework and give this magnificent red a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright garnet red. On the nose of ripe, lush currant and ripe raspberry, a hint of pickled cherry, bright spice. Fruit-sweet core with polished tannin, very savoury, drinks fine and even, slightly salty core, full of character, with persistence." Falstaff

"Powerful, ripe style with some blackcurrant and blackberry and spicy undertones. Smooth tannins with a very elegant structure and complexity." Decanter

"A pretty cabernet with currant and blackberry character, as well as some crushed stone. It's medium-bodied with good integration of tannins and a fresh a, vivid finish. Just opening up now." James Suckling

"Balsamic notes of wild rosemary, pine and juniper join the plum and blackberry fruit in this dense, well-proportioned red. The oak is nicely integrated and this cruises to a long, menthol- and mineral-tinged finish." Wine Spectator

Riserva di Fizzano has been a Gran Selezione since the 2010 vintage and this excellent debut vintage is a highly authentic top result from Rocca delle Macie. Fragrant of berries and wild herbs, also stylistically impeccable on the palate, of balanced spiciness, warm and with ripe, red fruit aromas. Very racy and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Named after the owner, the house's top wine is the result of many years of work in the vineyard and dates back to 2000, when the winery began replanting many of its own areas with Sangiovese. To this day, Sergio Zingarelli pursues the goal of interpreting his existing terroir as authentically as possible. The result is the highest classification Gran Selezione, which is confirmed every year by the consortium and is only awarded to the best growths of the appellation.

Rich ruby. Concentrated nose of herbs, black cherry, chocolate, earthy notes and oak spice. On the palate a juicy and soft fruit, refined tannins, glides dynamically spicy into a respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, elegantly shining ruby. Opens on the nose on notes of black tea, incense, sage, then a little fumé, ripe cherry, wild berries. On the palate dense, tight, very substantial, opens with many layers and tight tannin, warm and clear fruit, with lots of pressure in the finish." Falstaff

"Vibrant cherry, plum and chocolate flavors are offset by loamy earth, sage and sanguine notes in this savory red, which shows considerable depth and intensity, though it is reserved and closed at this stage." Wine Spectator

"The Rocca delle Macìe 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli is the top-tier wine in this estate's portfolio. A dark and nicely concentrated expression, it shows lots of dark fruit and plum." Wine Advocate

"Lovely sweet fruit with plums and cherries, as well as some walnut and smoke character. Fine, polished tannins. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. Delicious now, but will improve with age." James Suckling

The house's top wine, named after the owner, is the result of many years of work in the vineyard and dates back to the year 2000, when the winery began replanting many of its own areas with Sangiovese. To this day Sergio Zingarelli pursues the goal of interpreting his existing terroir as authentically as possible. The result is the highest classification Gran Selezione, which is confirmed every year by the Consortium and is only given to the best growth of the appellation.

Rich ruby. Concentrated nose of herbs, black cherry, chocolate, earthy notes and oak spice. On the palate a juicy and soft fruit, refined tannins, dynamically spicy, glides into a respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark chocolate, cocoa bean, and bitter herbs. Soft to the touch, initially floury, slowly increasing in granularity, a palate structure that already shows the first signs of rounding off, to which the impression of a markedly mild acidity also contributes. A wine that defines itself through its power." Falstaff

"This is the top-shelf wine from Sergio Zingarelli. His namesake 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli shows rich concentration and a seamless delivery of aromas that spans from black cherry and plum to spice and moist pipe tobacco. The fruit here is soft and luscious, but the mouthfeel is medium in length. It would turn a platter of modest carne asada soft tacos into an important dinner." Wine Advocate

"Very ripe and rich red with dried-berry, plum, mushroom and bark character on the nose and palate. Fully body. Velvety texture." James Suckling

"Distinctly sweet in aroma and flavor, this red offers ripe cherry, black currant, earth and oak spice flavors. Vibrant, with support from assertive, refined tannins, which drive the long finish." Wine Spectator

Sergio's father Italo Zingarelli was a highly innovative film producer who brought Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, among others, to the screen with his film "They call me Trinity/Lo Chiamavano Trinità" in December 1970, setting a milestone in Italian cinema history.

In honour of him and the film classic, his children Fabio, Sandra and Sergio have vinified a 100% Sangiovese, which is exclusively bottled in magnums with a manageable 600 bottles on the world market. This outstanding Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from the top year 2016 will only be available for one vintage. It represents the completion of a journey that began 50 years ago when Italo (a Roman by birth) fell in love with the hills of Castellina in Chianti. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderful aromas of plums, sour cherry, lavender, and sliced orange follow through to a full body with dense and firm tannins that are beautifully integrated into the wine. It’s so long and focused. Such finesse with structure. Balanced and attractive. Drinkable but better in three to four years. Try after 2023." James Suckling

Named after the owner, the house's top wine is the result of many years of work in the vineyard and dates back to 2000, when the winery began replanting many of its own areas with Sangiovese. To this day, Sergio Zingarelli pursues the goal of interpreting his existing terroir as authentically as possible. The result is the highest classification, Gran Selezione, which is confirmed every year by the consortium and is only awarded to the best growths of the appellation.

Rich ruby. Concentrated nose of herbs, black cherry, chocolate, earthy notes and oak spice. On the palate a juicy and soft fruit, refined tannins, glides dynamically spicy into a respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, elegantly shining ruby. Opens on the nose on notes of black tea, incense, sage, then a little fumé, ripe cherry, wild berries. On the palate dense, tight, very substantial, opens with many layers and tight tannin, warm and clear fruit, with lots of pressure in the finish." Falstaff

"Vibrant cherry, plum and chocolate flavors are offset by loamy earth, sage and sanguine notes in this savory red, which shows considerable depth and intensity, though it is reserved and closed at this stage." Wine Spectator

"The Rocca delle Macìe 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli is the top-tier wine in this estate's portfolio. A dark and nicely concentrated expression, it shows lots of dark fruit and plum." Wine Advocate

"Lovely sweet fruit with plums and cherries, as well as some walnut and smoke character. Fine, polished tannins. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. Delicious now, but will improve with age." James Suckling