Le Ragnaie Toscana Passo del Lume Spento 2015

The combination of a high elevation and a young, dynamic winemaker makes Le Ragnaie a true breath of fresh air in historic Montalcino. Riccardo and Jennifer Campinoti purchased the property, a mix of old vines and younger plantings, in 2000. The estate spreads across 42 acres, 12 of which surround the cellars of Le Ragnaie. These vines are the highest of any in Montalcino, in an area that became famous for bird-catchers; the traditional bird-catcher’s net is featured on the label. The estate takes its name from the fact that this net looked rather like a spider’s web, or ragna, in Italian.

Complementing these beautifully located, high-altitude vineyards are those from Petroso — one of the oldest winemaking zones in the area — and from Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in front of Amiata Mountain, next door to Poggio di Sotto.

Riccardo is passionate about Montalcino’s history, food and wine, embracing very traditional Tuscan methods to produce wines that deeply reflect the region. He employs organic viticulture ; grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed, fermented and aged in large, old, Slovenian oak casks for 36 months.

The high altitude lends unusual freshness, vibrancy and coolness to Le Ragnaie wines, which are enormously charming, aromatic and high-toned — including a high-elevation Chianti that is among the most focused you’ll find.