Villa di Geggiano Toscana Bandinello 2020
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“Bandinello,” an ancestor’s namesake, is a hearty Tuscan red that blends young Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and Syrah from the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. Where fruit from older vines is reserved for Chianti bottlings that will spend at least two years in the cellar softening around the edges, the juice for this cuvée is bottled with immediate pleasure in mind after six brief months in oak casks. It’s a youthful wine that’s vibrant and vigorous and delivers on their modest promise of simplicity. And while this provincial red aims to favor rusticity over charm, it turns out the two are not mutually exclusive. “Bandinello” is among the most perfect country wines.
Geggiano follows the classic tenet that wine resembles its maker: these are distinguished, classy cuvees that nevertheless show the distinct stamp of the terroir. This Chianti earns the title of Classico not just by meeting technical requirements but with its full personality, which shows the balance of bright fruit, a deep, leathery core, and vibrant acidity that is the region’s signature. The recurrent theme when Geggiano is mentioned at KLWM is food pairings (a high compliment coming from this crowd) because theirs are quintessential food wines and the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes, especially Tuscan ones, from grilled vegetables to wild boar ragù. When Kermit has the good fortune to stay for lunch, he comes back raving about it, which makes for some jealous smirks from the staff.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.