Its distinctive floral freshness merges with initial spicy notes, acidity and well-defined minerality; tannins just right. A pure Sangiovese that reveals all the magnificent qualities of this grape, further exalted by the small size of the vineyard whose name it bears. This plot is on soil consisting of Pliocene marine sediments, with sandy deposits and rocks smoothed by the action of the sea, and clay at deeper levels. Roncicone is located on a Marine Deposits geological formation. The vineyard is about 10 hectares in size, located at 320 meters above sea level and with a southeastern exposure. Grapes are handpicked and then selected: only perfect clusters become Roncicone.

The autumn and winter were very mild this year, with below-freezing temperatures only in part of January. It was rainy, about 440 mm. In the spring, temperatures were average, with the end of May and early June hot but humid. This diminished the fruit set causing a thinning effect in the clusters that was good for the Sangiovese. Two hailstorms at the end of May also led to loss of flowers, thus reducing per-plant growth. Summer was hot and dry. End-July and Mid-August rains gave some relief to the plants, helping them during the period of veraison.
Harvest began in early September, with temperatures mid-to-high for that period of the year during the day and a drop of as much as 10-15°Cat nights, favoring the accumulation of phenolic compounds.

I love the purity of fruit to this Gran Selezione that shows hibiscus, orange peel, violets, lavender, early grey tea, cloves, tobacco and wet earth. Elegant and flowing with lithe yet structured tannins, intensely refreshing acidity and a long, complex finish. Superb sangiovese. (credits: JamesSuckling.com 2019).

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