# Palagetto Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG (2023)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Palagetto
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, Merlot
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €11
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, raspberry, violet, herbaceous

## About this wine

Azienda Agricola Palagetto, also known as Tenute Niccolai, is rooted in the medieval town of San Gimignano, Tuscany. Founded in 1984 by Luano Niccolai, who planted the first vineyards in the Santa Chiara area, the estate has grown to 62 hectares under the leadership of his daughter Sabrina Niccolai and her children. While San Gimignano is historically celebrated for its white Vernaccia wines, Palagetto utilizes the region's unique clay and Pliocene sand soils to craft highly expressive, fresh, and traditional Tuscan red wines that showcase the versatility of the local terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Founded in 1984 by Luano Niccolai, the estate is now run by three generations of the family in the medieval town of San Gimignano.
- While San Gimignano is famous for its white Vernaccia, Palagetto proves the region's clay and tufa soils produce outstanding Sangiovese.
- The wine is aged in traditional large Slavonian oak casks of 10 and 30 hectoliters to preserve its vibrant primary fruit.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and moderate tannins of this Sangiovese-based blend make it exceptionally food-friendly. The wine's natural acidity cuts through the fat of cured meats and rich pasta sauces, while the light tannins are softened by proteins, creating a balanced and harmonious dining experience.

## Wine making process

The grapes are grown on certified organic vineyards situated at elevations of 280 to 320 meters. Following a meticulous manual harvest in small crates, the grapes undergo complete destemming and gentle crushing. Fermentation is carried out under temperature-controlled conditions in traditional concrete tanks. To preserve the vibrant primary fruit characteristics and regional typicity, the wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks (botti de rovere) of 10 and 30 hectoliters rather than small barriques.