“Very special wine.” - The Wine Advocate, 95+ points

Sean O’Callaghan is your typical Tuscan winemaker, you know the type, blind in one eye and with a strong Somerset accent. He was head winemaker at the brilliant Chianti estate, Riecine, for 25 years, before becoming fully involved with Tenuta di Carleone. He is known to his friends as ‘Il Guercio’, meaning ‘one-eyed rascal’, referring to the fact that he was born blind in his right eye, which he credits with giving him a unique perspective on winemaking and on life in general. He even suggests drinking this wine with one eye closed!

This eponymous wine is 100% Sangiovese from high altitude sites around Radda. The grapes are picked late to get maximum ripeness from these beautiful high-lying vineyards. Fermented in cement tanks with 20% whole bunches. The long, but gentle maceration of 5 months gives the wine a wonderful lifted fruit character, which differentiates it from the more classic styles. Think of an infusion, like tea, rather than plunging, like coffee in a cafetiere. It’s a featherweight ‘Chianti’ in terms of body, but boy does it seduce on the nose and the palate, with gloriously perfumed and faithfully Sangiovese notes of cherry, planed wood, orange peel, tobacco and apricot. I would happily drink this instead of just about any Brunello di Montalcino. Drink now-2034.

Organic & biodynamic farming

Press reviews:

The Wine Advocate: “With its elegant white wax capsule, the Tenuta di Carleone 2022 Il Guercio is partially made with feet-stomped Sangiovese (and up to 50% whole-cluster fruit) sourced from the village of Lamole, with its verdant vineyard landscapes and high elevations. This IGT red is balanced and bright with a lean consistency. The fruit tones are presented with good intensity and layered nuance. You get some of the bitter flavours from the skins (from extended maceration), red apple, wild herb, blue flower and crushed stone. Drink now-2035.” 95 points