In 1994, wine entrepreneur Jess Jackson and Vigneron Pierre Seillan first visited Italy and saw the potential of this historic estate. He purchased this beautiful winery and invested heavily in the ensuing two decades. He invested in the winery and gave the vineyards even more attention, allowing the grapes to reach unprecedented heights. Today, Tenuta di Arceno is widely considered one of the most important estates in the Chianti Classico region. And rightly so, the result is wines of great power, expertise, and finesse.
Tenuta di Arceno has been a center of wine production and agriculture for over a thousand years. The estate is located near the confluence of two rivers: the Ambra, which flows to Florence, and the Ombrone, which flows to the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient times, this area was a hub of Etruscan civilization. In honor of its history, the name Arceno comes from the Etruscan word Archè, meaning "origin." It all begins here in the vineyard. The old, thick vines today produce ripe and very vigorous bunches. The many hours of sunshine give the grapes maturity and finesse. Fortunately, there is also the cool breeze blowing from the rivers, precisely what the grapes need. This coolness contributes to rich and full bunches, all of which are harvested by hand.
Once the grapes are hand-harvested in the early morning, they are taken directly to the Tenuta di Arceno press. A gentle pressing crushes the grapes, and the exquisite juice undergoes its first fermentation. Yields are modest, but the final juice is of unparalleled quality. The entire wine is aged for a full ten months in oak barrels, giving this red Chianti Classico even more depth. This is clearly noticeable on the nose, with notes of ripe berries, roses, and vanilla, with hints of cypress and white pepper. The palate is exquisite, soft with a slight tingle. Numerous nuances of black fruit and notes of black licorice and cloves are evident. A long finish makes this red wine one of our favorites from the Tuscan countryside.
