Tenuta Sette Cieli Indaco Toscana 2018

Description

Tenuta Sette Cieli sits high above Bolgheri, 400 metres above sea level, looking down on the Tyrrhenian Sea. In contrast to the fertile plains below in Bolgheri, the soils here are chock full of rocks, and minerals, with wolves and wild boar still roving free. Originally bought as a retreat for the Ratti family, it was only planted with vines in 2001. Now with young owner Ambrogio and female winemaker Elena at the helm, Sette Cieli is producing mostly Bordeaux blends from their 7ha of vines. 

'Sette Cieili' translates as 'seven skies', and is a nod to the amazing views and huge diversity of terroir in the area. The best sites here have stony soils, and have the moderating influences of cool breezes and cool nights. The terroir is the envy of every producer who has flocked to Bolgheri to make their fortune. Since the mid-nineties, when these wines really became famous, there has been a scramble to acquire plots of the best stony hillside land. It's here, above the sandy plain that stretches out to the coast (which is great for growing tomatoes but not so good for grapes!) that the wines take on a magical finesse and structure that has put them on a par with top Bordeaux and Californians.

Indaco is becoming not just a top Tuscan wine but an Italian first growth, but still really is a wine for those in the know. A Bordeaux blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The pedigree is there in the vineyard. From the next hillside over, you can see Sassicaia’s legendary first vineyard, and Ornellaia, where they make Massetto. Tenuta Sette Cieli also sits above the famous vineyard Ca’Marcanda of Angelo Gaja!. But the best thing is the price remains sane as it’s not actually in the Bolgheri appellation, as no one thought when they drew the Bolgheri boundary that someone would be crazy enough plant above the woods, that are above Gaja’s vineyard. But they have!

Blind taste this against any Bordeaux twice their price and you are bound to be impressed. Go on. We dare you.

'Epic wines…..Welcome these wines into your home now because production is small and this estate is a superstar in the making.' Matthew Jukes, Money Week