Tenuta Sette Cieli: above us only sky

Tenuta Sette Cieli: above us, only sky

There are many bright stars in the Bolgheri heavens. Bolgheri is the tiny Tuscan village that now shoulders a colossal reputation. These days, it’s famous for those iconic red wines that rival or surpass the most outstanding wines of Bordeaux. Much of Bolgheri is a flat coastal strip, but rolling hills rise not far inland. One such star is Tenuta Sette Cieli. This  “Estate of the Seven Skies” refers to its hilltop position at 400 metres altitude, from where there are panoramic views in every direction.

A boutique estate

This boutique estate comprises 80 hectares of forest. Ten hectares are given over to vines. High-density Guyot planting means these are just 40 centimetres apart, forcing their roots to go deep, searching for water and nutrients.

Planting began in 2000, with dry stone wall terraces separating each vineyard plot. You’ll only find the “Bordeaux varieties” grown here, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and, more unusually, Malbec. This terroir – a mild maritime climate and high elevation combined with slate, granite and clay soils –  has proven particularly suited to such varieties. Indeed, Malbec seems to have a particular affinity with altitude; ask anyone from Argentina!

The Estate demonstrates skilful wine growing. It’s been organic since the outset, and all vineyard work is done by hand. In the winery, fermentations are done using stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. Subsequent maturation is in French oak barriques, as is usual for this style of wine. There’s no filtering or fining either.

Bordeaux blends

The Estate makes four reds. Yantra is the entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot IGT. Noi4 (the four of us) is a Bolgheri Rosso DOC blended from estate-managed fruit grown at sea level: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

However, the two top wines are previewed here. These best characterise this hilltop terroir and the Estate’s philosophy. Both are IGTs: Indaco, a Bordeaux-blend, and Scipio, a pure Cabernet Franc.

Also, there’s no doubt that 2016 is regarded as the best year in Bolgheri for perhaps a decade. Consequently, drinking this 2016 vintage is particularly spectacular. Decanting is recommended for both wines.

Indaco, 2016, IGT Toscana. 14.5%

Indaco in Italian means the colour Indigo, often the colour of the sky at sunset at the Estate.

It’s equal thirds Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It matures for eighteen months in 35% new French oak barriques. The blend is from the best of those before another six months of ageing in the bottle.

Such maturation means this blend is a seamless marriage of alcohol, fruit and acidity. It’s a wine not short of those three things, yet the balance between them is outstanding. Aroma and flavour-wise, blackberry, garrigue and cedar are prominent before a long spice and coffee finish. Full-bodied and with polished tannins, but not lush or overblown. Oak influences are subtle and nuanced. Already a delicious wine, I’d expect it to develop considerable complexity for those willing to wait longer. On average, 25,000 bottles each year.

Lay & Wheeler £42.28 (2015 vintage)

 

 

 

 

Scipio, 2016 IGT Toscana, 14.5%

The name Scipio refers to the Roman General who defeated Hannibal. Scipio is 100% Cabernet Franc, which spends 24 months in French oak barriques (40% new) and another 12 months in bottle.

There are some other 100% Cabernet Francs in the Bolgheri, but most are from the flatlands at sea level. Again, the altitude brings fresher acidity, making for an elegant and precise combination.

Scipio is a full-bodied wine that’s unmistakable Cabernet Franc. However, there’s also a vibrant character without any heavy-handed oak treatment. As it opens up in the glass, pencils, grilled almonds, coffee, and a hint of leather appear. Those flavours and aromas hint at the potential for complexity. Hence, while Scipio is drinking well now, this wine will become spectacular if left longer.

Only 4,000 bottles are made, and only in the best years.

Lay & Wheeler £62.68 (2015 vintage)

 

 

Food

Both wines are food-friendly and unmistakably Italianate in style. Big meats such as beef or game are appropriate for both wines. Hence, a hearty British Sunday Lunch wouldn’t be out of place.

However, I drank both wines with the traditional Tuscan winter vegetable soup/stew called Ribollita, a comforting and delicious match.

Conclusions

This review is a preview, as these two wines will be available at the end of May 2020. Those extra few months will doubtless improve them a little more. Also, the longer maturation time means both can be opened and enjoyed now. Both are already drinking well yet capable of further development over lifetimes that could be decades.

Tenuta Sette Cieli has the likes of Sassicaia and Ornellaia in its sights, both visually and as peers, and both wines are of similar calibre. Consequently, that makes them excellent value, too. I hope to revisit these 2016 wines in three years when they should be at their peak.

Until then, I can only imagine.

 

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