Sesti 'Grangiovese', Toscana, Castello di Argiano 2022

Elisa Sesti makes delicious Sangiovese, Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino at the stunning Sesti - Castello di Argiano estate, with its forests and micro-climate vineyards, located at the southern end of the Montalcino plateau right in the heart of Brunello country. Once a medieval hill-top fortress/village, the Castle tower was built later circa 1200AD as the last in a series of watch towers, communicating with the next in line by drum and fire.

Witness to the medieval warfare of feuding Italy through the ages, today both its striking views and architecture are UNESCO protected. The estate, reclaimed by nature, was uninhabited and seemingly impenetrably over-grown when the Sesti family discovered it in the mid-1970s. Lovingly rescued and restored by Elisa’s father (renowned astronomer Giugi; hence the stars on the labels) and English mother (Sarah) they planted Sangiovese on the best sites. There’s a lovely local connection here too as Elisa’s great, great grandmother was the mayor of Shrewsbury! While not being officially certified organic or bio-dynamic, the natural, time-honoured practices with minimal use of chemicals are important at Castello di Argiano, and of their 102 ha only nine are planted with vines, the remaining hectares being olive groves and woodland. The unique micro-climate sees gentle sea breezes funnel down through the woods and vineyards forming a natural air conditioning unit. It seems hard to imagine now, but back in the 70’s and 80’s Sangiovese was a little-known variety in the UK market and Brunello a mere footnote in wine guides. Long aging in traditional large botte barrels (rather than French barriques) along with the unique cooling climate at Sesti, produces utterly divine wines of breath-taking quality. We highly recommend them all, with the perfect introduction to these fabulous wines being Sesti’s delicious Grangiovese – a play on words, ‘the Great Sangiovese’."