From his grandmother Elenora Antinori (Antinori nobility, female blood line), Niccolò Montecchi has found the time to murder and create himself as a sort of Contadino Nobile, Nobile Farmer...Villa del Cigliano
From his grandmother Elenora Antinori (Antinori nobility, female blood line), Niccolò Montecchi has found the time to 'murder and create' himself as a sort of Contadino Nobile, Nobile Farmer on a farm that begins the Chianti Classico region, just 15 minutes south of Florence, around the medeaval town of San Casciano in Val di Pesa. The winery consists of around 20 hectares of Olive grooves and 20 of vines; in the middle is the 15th Century Villa. Niccolò has a Roman remains, a Renaissance Villa, and a valley that split one side with Olive, one with Vines; it's quite the sight and he's quite the humble gentleman for such a holding.
Location: as you all know, the Chianti Classico (instead of just Chianti) zone is between the two, once-warring, medieval city-states (in medieval Italian communi) of Florence and Siena. The soils near this Northern part of Chianti Classico are mostly clay with pieces of chalk; the elevation is a bit gentler too, around 700-750 feet. The result in the wine is a bit more refined and softer tannins than you would find, for example in higher elevation Radda; and, a bit less acidity. I say a bit less and call to attention Acid Heads (like myself) to realize unless you really smash Sangiovese with New Oak, it always has great acid and freshness.
This is what I call old school winery, but in the best sense of that phrase. They don't follow trends or make rush decisions; they don't want to make a Super-Luxury resort to splash in loveless losed authenticity. Kudos! Plus, they have these old cement tanks, a rare gift to let Sangiovese shine through -- once again -- through the Oak of the Trashy 80's.
![At the table with Niccolò [producer]](http://www.portovinoitaliano.com/images/producers/144/vsig_thumbs/ciglianoweb4_60_32_80.jpg)
