Tenuta Sette Ponti, Oreno, Toscana IGT, Italy, 2021

Overview of the Wine
The estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, fifteen miles northwest of the city of Arezzo just past the village of San Giustino Valdarno. The Via del Monte, known locally as the Via dei Sette Ponti, leads into a beautiful hidden valley and to the estate. The name Sette Ponti, or "seven bridges," refers to the seven bridges crossing the Arno River on the road from Arezzo to Florence. Erected in the mid 13th century, it took nearly forty years to build, and is perceptible in the right far background of Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa.

Tenuta Sette Ponti, is, like many Tuscan estates, multi-faceted. The 750-acre property supports livestock and mixed agriculture, and although viticulture is not new to the estate, winemaking is; the yield of the property's vineyards was until 1997 sold to various respected Tuscan wine producers, among them Piero Antinori. Dr. Moretti's enjoyment of wine led him to ask Antinori if the estate vineyards could produce great wines, and Antinori thought they could. The estate has since been transformed through the consultation of respected oenologist Carlo Ferrini and his assistant, Gioia Cresti; Gilbert Bouvet, one of France's most skilled viticulturalists; and agronomist Benedetto d'Anna.

Oreno, named after the river that runs through the property, is the flagship of Tenuta Sette Ponti. The soils that produce the fruit for Oreno are a blend of clay, sand and the stony galestro limestone that is special to Tuscany. Clusters are reduced to one or two per stalk in May to assure maximum quality when they are hand harvested in autumn. In the winery, grapes are hand sorted and destemmed. Fermentation occurs in a combination of temperature-controlled and lined, open-top tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation. Oreno is aged in French Allier barriques and in bottle before release.

Winemaker
Antonio Moretti Cuseri

Grape / Blend
50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot

Origin
Tuscany, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The winter season at Tenuta Sette Ponti recorded temperatures in line with the seasonal average, low and steady with daily rises in the hottest hours. Rainfall was present and moderate, sufficient to restore water reserves in the vineyards. Spring arrived slightly early, dictating the timing of vine planting, with returns of cold weather and minimal rain. Grazed by a late frost that, however, left no significant damage.

Dark ruby red color tinged with decisive violet tones, expresses on the nose incredible sensations of fullness and complexity with a note of ripe berries the give sensations of chocolate and nuances of balsam. Oreno is a captivating wine, rich in structure but decisively dynamic, enhanced by the nuances of new oak and an interminable finish.

Spicy aromas of black fruit and touches of chocolate dominate the nose and palate. The wine is full-bodied, with supple tannins.

Product size: 750ml