The vintage 2022 marks Siepi's 30th anniversary. Made by the Mazzei family who spans over 600 years of winemaking expertise, this Super-Tuscan is the iconic wine of Castello do Fonterutoli. In the 1980s, the Mazzeis realised the potential of planting non-indigenous grape varieties on their land and started to experiment with new training systems and new blends. The result is a stunning blend of Sangiovese and Merlot that "could easily compete with a first growth Bordeaux", as stated by Robert Parker.
Siepi’s Story
Siepi vineyard has always been a part of the Mazzei family ownership since 1435, however, it was always farmed separately from the estate. 1992 was the first vintage to be released and the wines has always been well received from critics. Recently, due to global warming, Merlot has become tricky to grow in Tuscany however, the Mazzei family has sticked to its guts and continued using 50% of Merlot in the blend making Siepi a ‘distinctly SuperTuscan experience’, as quoted in Decanter magazine. Learn more about Siepi.
Vineyards & Winemaking
This fantastic vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate with intense sunlight during the day constantly cool down by westerly breezes. The rocky-textured soils of marl, limestone, and clay combined with the inclination of the slope also create a good balance for the vines. These conditions are ideal to grow Merlot on slopes with a south-west exposition, so it does not overripe. Sangiovese thrives on south facing slopes where it can achieve optimum phenolic ripeness while retaining the acidity in the grape. When blend, they bring the perfect balance between elegance, power and complexity.
An equal blend of Sangiovese and Merlot are fermented separately with indigenous yeasts and aged for 18 months in small French and Austrian oak barrels (70% new) and an additional three months in concrete tanks. The wine will age very well. About 34,000 bottles are made on average every year and the wines, while enjoyable in their youth, can keep for 20 years. Watch the video.
The Growing Season
The 2022 vintage was characterised by a mild winter with little rainfall. Spring temperatures were initially average and then gradually increased, allowing the vines to develop evenly and steadily. The high temperatures and low rainfall were accompanied by the formation and subsequent flowering of the inflorescences, up to the budding of the grapes.
During the summer, the exposure of the grapes to high temperatures from the earliest stages of their development allowed the skins to thicken, guaranteeing the grapes good support as ripening progressed, with a reduction in the volume produced due to the low rainfall, which affected the weight of the bunches.
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 480 mm
Temperatures (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 5.455,39 °C
Siepi 2022 - The Scores
Deep ruby in colour, this is concentrated compared to many in Tuscany, love the super savoury feel, tongue-scraping architecture, with so much freshly cut herb edging and heavy liqourice root and gunsmoke alongside raspberry and cassis fruit. Brilliant, up there with the very best of the Bordeaux-Tuscan wines, where the grapes and the region truly each play their part in creating the personality of the wine. The vineyards for Siepi are in Castellina in Chianti, harvest September 5 to 17, 70% new oak for ageing, large oak casks for the Sangiovese, then three months in concrete tanks before release. Tasted with the September Releases and again at the estate. - 97 points Jane Anson
The Mazzei 2022 Siepi marks this wine's 30th anniversary. I have a special connection to this wine, as I was present when some of the final blending options (with fruit from various parcels within the greater Siepi vineyard) were being decided. My personal preference was for the interpretation that showed the brightest fruit and the most energy. Those qualities are transferred over to this bottle, and I do agree that this celebratory vintage offers an excellent opportunity to tweak the winemaking of this historic blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This warm vintage offers plenty of primary fruit with bold cherry as the protagonist. Softer tones of blue flower and grilled rosemary appear at the back. However, the oak spice and cinnamon need time to integrate. The results put the 2022 vintage on par with classic years such as 2021 and 2019. – 96 points Robert Parker
The aromas of dark berries, violets and perfume are enchanting. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and so elegant and they run the length of the wine. They are rather endless. Very classy and balanced. A merlot and sangiovese blend. Give this a year or two, but it’s already a joy to drink. Drink or hold. - 97 points Robert Parker