From: Tuscany, Italy
Varietals: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot
Tasting Notes: "Aromas of black-skinned fruit, truffle, leather and mocha slowly emerge from the glass. Made with 90% Sangiovese, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the linear, elegantly structured palate features prune, cassis and chocolate alongside fine-grained tannins. It closes on a note of crushed herb." –Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 93 points
"Valiano inspired us with its honesty and accessibility—both in price and in flavor profile. Mario Piccini, scion of a winemaking family with roots back into the 19th century, refers to the estate as his dream and his home. Valiano –whose name derives from a Roman warrior who fought for Julius Cesar during the Gallic campaign and was rewarded these lands for his bravery in battle—is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga in the heart of Chianti Classico. Of 200 hectares of land, 75 hectares are vineyards, entirely cultivated organically, and certified as such from the 2018 harvest. The soils are mostly clay and stone, with the exception of the Poggio Teo cru, which is sand and stone. All work in the vineyards is done by hand, and the grapes are destemmed and macerated in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation is not forced, and the wine ages for the most part in Slavonian oak." –Skurnik Wines & Spirits
