Fattoria Poggerino
Photo Courtesy of Fattoria Poggerino

The Prize of Radda-In-Chianti
Tiny Production = Great Value

Radda-In-Chianti is one of the famed villages of the Chianti Classico zone. Radda is beloved for wines of higher elevation, which yields wines of great aromatics in comparison to Chianti from lower elevations. Montevertine is perhaps the most famous and influential winery in Radda, but this property has not produced a Chianti in decades. 

Poggerino on the other hand is a relatively tiny estate in Radda when compared to most Chianti producers. This small family run estate has a rich history that dates back to the 12th Century; however, Poggerino as we know it today was developed in the 1970s. Operated today by Piero Lanza and his sister Benedetta, Poggerino is dedicated to organic farming and Chianti’s famed grape Sangiovese. 

The 2019 Vintage gave us two tremendous expressions of Sangiovese. The classic Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla is about as textbook an expression of pure Radda Sangiovese as any. With bright red to dark red and tangy fruit, the Bugialla has great lift and aromatics that range from a Tuscan herb garden to wild flowers with vibrant freshness across the ample textured medium body. For those who prefer an even purer take on Sangiovese and more electrifying acidity the Chianti Classico Nuovo is one of the most delicious and satisfying examples of Chainti that we have tasted from a concrete egg. 

Nuovo is not a natural wine, however, it is certified organic and is made purely of Sangiovese in concrete. The result is a wine of great primary fruit and vibrancy, with a personality that is boldly Sangiovese. While Bugialla is a wine of more structure and tannin, Nuovo is the Chianti of freshness and brightness. Both are pure Radda, explosive in fruit and aromatics. 

Do not let Poggerino’s size fool you, this tiny winery is a big bold super star of Chianti, you just haven’t tasted them yet!

Cheers,
Jeremy