Bucciarelli Gandino 2017

Gandino is a Tuscan red from Antico Podere Casanova, blending Sangiovese with the old local partner Canaiolo, an indigenous pairing that Ezio Bucciarelli kept alive when fashion had moved on. Sangiovese is the backbone, giving high acidity, firm tannin and the savoury cherry character of central Tuscany, while Canaiolo softens the blend and adds roundness and floral lift. The wine is farmed naturally and organically and bottled as an IGT Rosso Toscana. Vinification stays traditional: fermentation on the skins draws out colour and grippy tannin, malolactic conversion settles the sharp acidity into a suppler frame, and the wine spends eight months in chestnut barrels. Chestnut, used in Tuscany before French oak became standard, is more porous and lends a drier, more savoury, faintly resinous grain than oak, with less vanilla sweetness. The colour is deep ruby. The nose offers ripe cherry and plum with red currant, dried herbs and a leathery, earthy edge; the palate is medium bodied, with bright acidity, fine tannins and a savoury, herbal finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits roast meats, tomato-based pasta and mature cheese.