“Vigna dell’Impero 1935” Trebbiano Toscana IGT 2022 (BIO) · 3 bottles in OWC

Tenuta Sette Ponti | Tuscany
Tenuta Sette Ponti s.a. s.r.l. | Via Sette Ponti 71 | IT 52029 Castiglion Fibocchi

09330322 · 2,25 l · 30,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping3 units available
Limitation of 1 articles per customer

In 1935, Fascist Italy proclaimed the Empire – and Amedeo di Savoia, Duke of Aosta and Viceroy of Ethiopia, had a vineyard planted on the estate belonging to his family near Arezzo. Three hectares, terraced by hand, in the heart of the estate, at an altitude of 278 metres, facing south-east, on rock rich in galestro. He named the wine Vigna dell'Impero. The vineyard still exists today. Ninety years of vines on the same stones. The historic mixed planting – Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Malvasia, Canaiolo and Colorino, as has been the custom in the Chianti region for centuries – survived the wars, structural change and the drive towards monoculture. Today, the Trebbiano from this plot forms the basis of a wine that Antonio Moretti Cuseri only bottles in the very best vintages. Three thousand kilograms per hectare – almost a bountiful yield for ninety-year-old vines on galestro soil – resulting in a concentration that few Tuscan white wines can match.

The winemaking process is a dialogue between two materials: 70% of the wine matures in Cocciopesto amphorae – a material fired from ancient pottery shards and lime, which the Romans used for water pipes and plaster; it is slightly porous, permeable to oxygen and devoid of any woody aromas. The remaining 30% spends a year in small new French barriques. Each component develops separately before being blended and bottled after around twelve months. It is then left to rest for a further twelve months.

The result embodies the interplay between two worlds: the freshness and minerality of clay, and the body and elegance of wood, united in a Trebbiano that redefines the grape variety. A deep, luminous golden yellow. On the nose, white flowers, broom, vanilla, a hint of coffee, followed by white-fleshed fruits and citrus zest. On the palate, it is direct and elegant, with an unmistakable interplay between freshness and fullness; the final is long and balanced. A vineyard that embodies Italy's history – and a wine that deserves its place in the present. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Trebbiano Vigna dell'Impero 2022 is a very lovely wine. Lively citrus notes, dried herbs, crushed stone, mint and white pepper are just some of the nuances that characterise this vibrant, crisp white wine." Vinous

"A toasty and deep wine with candied citrus, cedar and lemon leaves on the nose. Light-bodied with crisp, almost zesty acidity, an elegant palate and a tight, minerally finish. Drink now." James Suckling