Rubattorno Winery Review | Exploring Chianti Montalbano
Chianti is a small region located within Tuscany, and contains 8 sub-regions. What makes the Chianti region so special? Tuscany. Tuscany is special for many reasons, first starting with the history and traditions that have taken place over the centuries, and secondly the beautiful landscape. This landscape is covered with a hilly countryside and fertile plains that make it perfect for making wine and olive oil.One of the eight sub-regions in Chianti is known as Chianti Montalbano. Chianti Montalbano is located northwest of Florence, Italy and to the south of Pistoia. Montalbano is known for having light and fruit-driven wines that come from vineyards on western facing hills. This where we are exploring today through tasting wines from the Rubattorno Winery. Like most vineyards in Chianti, the Rubattorno Winery works with using two of the most common grapes to the Chianti region, they are Sangiovese (red varietal) and Trebbiano (white varietal).
What is Sangiovese like?
Generally, Sangiovese is a savory varietal that features occasional red fruits with lots of herbs, vegetals and animal-like bouquet such as leather. Additionally, it is a very acidic and tannic varietal. As for elevage, yes oak is generally used but only in neutral barrels.
What is Trebbiano like?
Also known as Ugni Blanc, Trebbiano is one of the most common white varietals in Italy. Generally Trebbiano is very acidic and has a dry finish with a touch (barely a touch) of sweetness. Besides that, this is a great food-friendly white varietal.
Before getting into the wines, we wanted to find out a little more about how the Rubattorno Winery began. According to Eleonora Potenza, Business Partner and Sales Manager, the roots of the winery go all the way back to the 18th century as well as the history behind the “Rubattorno” name. The “Rubattorno” name comes from two different aspects; the first is of ancient origin that is unknown and secondly is the name of a street from the 13th century where robbers waited in hiding to raid shepherds while they passed to reach the pastures in Mantalbano.
The backbone behind Rubattorno Winery is Carmine Potenza. Carmine’s career in the wine industry started when he was around ten years old when he would help is father in the vineyard. Only growing from there, Carmine then attended the Agarian School in the nearby city of Siena where he later graduated as a oeno-technician (wine technician). Once graduating Carmine came back and became the Business Manager of his family’s vineyard, Rubattorno Winery. In addition to being the winemaker at Rubattorno Winery, Carmine is also the manager at La Greggia (which we will be writing about later this year). The Rubattorno Winery is comprised of eighteen hectares, with five of them are composed of Sangiovese, Colorino, Gamay, Canaiolo and Trebbiano grapes.
Rubattorno Winery produces the following: Chianti Montalbano D.O.C.G., Chianti Montalbano Riserva D.O.C.G., Vin Santo del Chianti, Grappa of Chianti, Tuscan IGT White Wine, Tuscan IGT Red Wine, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
(You are probably wondering what D.O.C.G. and what IGT means? Do not fear, we have you covered! D.O.C.G means Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita which is the highest classification of Italian wines. This classification has a controlled method of production, and guaranteed quality of wine. Additionally it is restricted by the following: specific varietals, yield limits, winemaking methods, and elevage. As for IGT, this means Indicazione Geografica Tipica, which is given to wines of low quality or wines that do not meet the standards of D.O.C. or D.O.C.G.)
We were lucky enough to get three different bottles supplied by the estate for a tasting note. Take a look at our notes below!
First time trying Tuscan Trebbiano, we did not know what to expect. Chilled the wine for a little bit and decanted for 30 minutes prior to tasting. Wine was bright and clear straw yellow, almost like a straw wine. The nose started off tight with some nutty notes like roasted almonds and some earthy notes of wet stones. As it opened up the nose continued to become more complex with some intense floral notes of hydrangeas and white flowers. Then the nose tapered off with hints of honeysuckle and lime. Very balanced body that is matched with a solid balance between sweetness and moderate acidity. Moderate plus body with hints of tangerine and acidity throughout. Slight minerality in the moderate finish. This is one of our favorite white wines to date. Can easily last another few years for further enjoyment. On a side note this is not a white wine for people who like light whites. The complexity and body are definitely for those who enjoy red wines or heavier whites.
2016 till 2019.
Price Point:
N/A - Sample provided by the Winery.
Bright ruby red. Slightly higher intensity than the color of the Riserva. Way too tight on day one. Sealed the bottle back up and tried again on day two. Nose opened up with some moldy cheese. dried herbs and developed into a few savory notes of smoky meats. Definitely has some earthy notes too with some bell peppers (vegetal notes) and wet stones. Finished off with some red cherries and cranberries. Moderate plus body that leads to a very dry acidic finish. This wine needs more time to open up, even after three days it was too tight. Hopefully in the future we get to try this bottle again and see how it has developed!
N/A.
Price Point:
N/A - Sample provided by the Winery.Ruby red but definitely clearer and more see-through than the regular 2013. Very tight to start with dark chocolate and black cherries. We sealed the bottle for day two. Nose did not change much except for only a subtle hint of black cherries. Definitely smoother and more integrated than the 2013 but still very dry with moderate acidity. Very tight on the palate, dry with paper-like qualities. Finish is almost moderate in length. A little shorter than expected. Definitely drink this wine with something along the lines of pasta or stew, significantly improves. Blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. Aged for 24 months in barrel and then 6 months in bottle prior to release.
2016 - 2020.
Price Point:
N/A - Sample provided by the Winery.
Thank you again Eleonora for sending these all the way out to us to taste. We really appreciate it and loved trying out your father's wines! If any of you get the chance, we highly recomment trying the IGT White Wine, it is truely something special. Contact details below if you are interested in purchasing some for yourselves!
Where are they located? Rubattorno Winery 51039, Quarrata - Tuscany
Who is their winemaker? Carmine Potenza