Colle Santa Mustiola 2010 Poggio ai Chiari Sangiovese Toscano

Three things to remember:

• 100% Sangiovese from 28 different clones (!)
• Ages for a total of 9 years before release
• A wine with great depth, complexity and elegance

To say the owner/winemaker is in love with Sangiovese would be an understatement; Fabio Cenni consistently produces some of Italy's most elegant Sangiovese. To accomplish this, year after year, he draws from 28 different clones of organic, estate-grown Sangiovese to create the best possible blend for each vintage. His wine is 100% Sangiovese, just made up of up to 28 different clones of Sangiovese!

The name, Poggio ai Chiarri, describes the winery's setting. Poggio = hilll and Chiari describes the reflection of the moon on the lake Chiusi. Aside from providing a beautiful lunar reflection, it also benefits the vineyard by moderating the climate.

The age of Fabio's vines are of between "old" and "really old". Despite their low yields, he nurtures these old vines because the grapes produce concentrated flavors obtainable in no other way. He crafts his wines in a style to last for the ages, and holds them for 5-7 years in cellar prior to release.

Drink now through 2030+.

Fabio has been dubbed "The Sangiovese Whisperer" for his ability to maintain an almostt personal familiarity with the unique personalites of each of his 28 clones. To create the best possible wine, year after year, he pulls different mixtures of these distinct personalities.

Just like a talented rancher breaking a wild horse, Fabio is able to tame Sangiovese's wild and unpredictable nature, creating elegant, long-lived wines that can compete with the best collectible Nebbiolo, Pinot or Cabernet from arond the globe. And while this wine is pricey, it is a bargain relative to its global competitors from Bordeaux or Burgundy, and will age far longer. And yes, this is the current release available in the states, with 2012 soon to follow.

IGT Toscana - Fabio is located in the small town of Chiusi (Pop ~9,000), a postcard-ready, hilltop town on the Eastern border between Tuscany and Umbria. A man who cuts his own path, he remains dedicated to this corner of the world, letting other IGT producers take the limelight in plots closer to Chianti. Fabio prefers the dust of the vineyard to the limelight.