Scarànto 2018

This is our most exciting Tuscan red in years. It hails from special vineyards in the Conca d’Oro (golden conch)—a hallowed, shell-shaped slope in the heart of Chianti Classico—right next door to Fontodi, whose flagship red costs over $100 a bottle.

Scarànto is the first solo project from the hugely talented Matteo Bernabei. He works alongside his legendary father, Franco—dubbed “Mr. Sangiovese” by the Italian press—as a consultant to some of Italy’s top estates (like the aforementioned Fontodi).

For this hugely acclaimed, barrel-aged Super Tuscan-blend of Sangiovese (70%) and Merlot (30%), he used the traditional governo method. After hand harvesting the fruit in September, he held back a small amount of Sangiovese grapes, air-drying them until December. Called leggermente appassito, these raisined grapes are added to the wine for a flavor-boosting secondary fermentation.

Over to Italy’s top critic, Luca Maroni, on what you can expect in the glass:

“One of the best red wines of the year. An extraordinary wine of exceptional richness. This full wine reveals the essence of fruit—dark cherries and blackberries and warm herbs. The palate is soft and supple. Sublime, admirable, harmonious and at the same time of exceptional expressive power. 98 points.”

One of our most exciting wine buys of the year—hurry for your share!