Gagliole Colli della Toscana Centrale Valletta 2016

A blend of equal parts Sangiovese from Castellina and Merlot from the Vigna Grande vineyard in Panzano, mainly on Galestro and Albarese. After manual harvest, the wine ferments in wooden vats and then matures for at least 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels, specially gently toasted on charcoal to limit the wood influence. This is a full-bodied, suave, creamy wine with a bright future ahead, although we already find it irresistibly delicious.

Wine Advocate (Monica Larner): “ The 2016 Valletta is an accessible blend of Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts. The Merlot comes from the Panzano in Chianti area, and the Sangiovese comes from Castellina in Chianti. The wine is fermented in stainless steel (each variety is processed separately) and then is aged in oak, of which a part is new. The bouquet offers Merlot-driven tones of black cherry and sweet spice, but the freshness and brightness of the mouthfeel recalls the Sangiovese. This wine was bottled in May and will be hitting the market soon. Some 13,000 bottles were produced. 93+/100

Vinous (Antonio Galloni): “The 2016 Valletta, a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot from both of the estate's properties, is superb. Dark, rich and sensual, the 2016 is another gorgeous wine from Gagliole. The tannins need time to soften, but all the elements are in place to allow that to happen. There is an element of freshness that gives the wine its sense of energy and focus.” 94/100