Geografico Contessa di Radda Chianti Classico

Contessa di Radda is a limited production Chianti Classico made by selecting the best lots of Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes as they arrive at the winery during crush.  These grapes are treated separately throughout the rest of the production process.  The fruit itself is the result of  year-round collaboration between a small group of Geografico’s member growers, Geografico’s staff vineyard manager, and Lorenzo Landi, Geografico’s consulting enologist.  Winter pruning, disease prevention, yield-control, and determination of harvest dates are some of the jobs critical to the final product.  Replanting with selected clonal materials is another task which is slowly taking place in the member vineyards.

The winemaking itself is straightforward.  Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, as does malolactic fermentation.  Landi’s particular attention to proper oxygenation during alcoholic fermentation assures good extraction without harsh tannin or off-odors.  The wine is ready for racking to barrel within two to three months.  It ages in traditional sized, Slavonian oak casks measuring 1300 to 2500 gallons (50 to 100 hectoliters), with a significant portion of the blend also spending time in French oak barriqes.  After 12 to 15 months in wood, the wine is ready for bottling.

Contessa di Radda represents a middle ground between Geografico Chianti Classico and Tenuta Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva.  Its dark color, dense bouquet, and ripe palate impressions, and its small annual production (limited to 7000 cases) permit favorable comparison with wines made by small, family operations in the region.