Cignale (2017)

About this wine

Cignale is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller component of Merlot, from a single vineyard planted in 1981 near Greve in Chianti at about 490 to 520 meters above sea level. On the nose it offers concentrated blackberry and plum, with red berry lift, a balsamic herb note, and a hint of dried rose and spice. The palate is full bodied, dense and structured, with pronounced but ripe tannins and a mineral, slightly savory backbone. The wine spends extended time in French barrique, which brings toasted spice and a measured oak frame while leaving the fruit front and center. This is an ageworthy expression that reflects the site and Cabernet focus, and it has been highly rated by several international critics.

About the grape

Cignale is built around Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux import that the estate planted as low yielding clones to bring structure and aging ability, with some Cabernet grafted onto older Sangiovese rootstock to add local depth. Merlot plays a supporting role, planted in smaller blocks to soften the blend and provide roundness, and it is grown and harvested at the same high altitude sites around 490 to 520 meters. The vines sit on Cretaceous Eocene polychrome schist soils with nitrogen rich pockets, they are trained and pruned for low yields and careful hand harvesting is used to select ripe fruit for this bottling.

Quick facts

• 🐗 The name Cignale comes from a true vineyard disaster, wild boars wiped out an early harvest and the team turned the misfortune into the wine name Cignale which means wild boar in local dialect
• 🤝 Cignale was created as a collaborative labors of love in the 1980s by Neil and Maria Empson together with their friend Alessandro François, making it a boutique Super Tuscan with a personal origin story
• 🌱 The Cabernet Sauvignon vines for Cignale were grafted onto 20 year old Sangiovese rootstock, a creative blend of local tradition and international variety
• ⛰️ The wine comes from a tiny high altitude plot around 490 to 520 meters above sea level, which gives the grapes cooler nights and a distinct aromatic lift
• 🎨 Maria Empson personally designed the Cignale label, so the bottle art is part of the wine family story rather than a generic commercial emblem

Palate profile

Producer

Castello di Querceto, located near Greve in Chianti, Italy, has a rich history dating back to Roman times. The castle was rebuilt in the 16th century and acquired by the François family in 1897, who transformed it into a prominent winery. In 1924, it became one of the 33 founding members of the Chianti Classico Consortium. Today, the estate spans approximately 190 hectares, with 60 hectares dedicated to vineyards, producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.