Ottomani Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Country
Italy

Region
Tuscany

Appellation
Chianti Classico DOCG (Riserva)

Color
Red

Viticulture
Biodynamic

Alcohol
±13.5–14%

Grape varieties
100% Sangiovese

Production area
Greve in Chianti, south of Florence

Vines
40 years old

Soil
Limestone with clay and galestro

Yield
Less than 1.5 kg per vine

Winemaking
Spontaneous fermentation in concrete vats

Aging
24 months in Tuscan oak casks

Allergens
Contains sulfites

Color
Deep ruby red with garnet reflections.

Nose
Complex and layered, with aromas of ripe cherries, blackcurrant and plums, plus notes of violets, herbs, tobacco and subtle oak.

Palate
Full and structured, with ripe tannins and fresh acidity. A wine with depth and balance, and a long, elegant, gently spicy finish.

Perfect with:

• Grilled red meat
• Game
• Stews
• Truffle dishes
• Pasta with rich sauces
• Aged cheeses such as pecorino

Its structure and complexity make it an ideal wine for hearty dishes.

Ottomani is a biodynamic winery in Val di Pesa, in the heart of Tuscany, about 15 kilometers south of Florence. It is run by four friends who share a clear vision: to make wines that reflect the landscape, soil and climate of Tuscany as purely as possible.

From the very beginning, Ottomani chose a way of farming that works in harmony with nature. The vineyards are therefore farmed biodynamically, without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. The focus is on living soils, biodiversity and a natural balance in the vineyard.

The grapes grow on old vines, often more than 40 years old, in limestone-rich soils with clay and marl. This combination gives grapes with concentration, fresh acidity and a clear sense of terroir.

How they make wine

In the cellar, Ottomani follows the same philosophy as in the vineyard: minimal intervention and maximum expression of the grape.

Their wines are made with:

• Hand harvesting in small crates
• Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts
• No added commercial yeasts
• As little technical intervention as possible
• Often long aging on the fine lees
• Very light filtration or none at all

This approach keeps the wines lively, energetic and authentic. Rather than chasing a polished international style, Ottomani lets the character of the terroir and the vintage speak as honestly as possible.

What makes Ottomani special

What sets Ottomani apart from many other Tuscan producers is their consistent focus on nature, tradition and authenticity.

Their wines are defined by:

• Biodynamic farming
• Old vines
• Spontaneous fermentation
• Minimal intervention in the cellar
• A strong expression of terroir

The result is wines with energy, freshness and a clear identity: wines that show not only the grape variety, but above all the Tuscan landscape they come from.

The grapes for this Riserva come from Greve in Chianti, an area renowned worldwide for its high-quality Sangiovese.

The vineyards lie on limestone-rich soils with clay and galestro and are planted with 40-year-old vines. Thanks to the poor, stony soils and low yields, the grapes have great concentration, complexity and structure.

The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates to protect their quality.

The winemaking process:

• Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts
• Fermentation in concrete vats
• Maceration with 90% destemmed grapes and 10% whole bunches
• Maceration lasts about 20–25 days
• Techniques such as pump-overs, punch-downs and délestage
• Aging for 24 months in Tuscan oak casks
• Spontaneous malolactic fermentation

This approach creates a wine with depth, structure and a clear expression of Sangiovese and terroir.