Tenuta Degli Dei Le Redini Toscana IGT

Le Redini Toscana Rosso IGT from Tenuta degli Dei

A young, Tuscan Merlot with Conca d'Oro in its blood

When Tommaso Cavalli began to work with viticulture at Tenuta degli Dei in 2000, he brought star oenologist Carlo Ferrini on board for this project. Together with him, he decided to plant only international grape varieties. For this reason, the Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varieties now grow on the five hectares of vineyards at Tenuta degli Dei. The Cavalli family also owns a second vineyard near Florence, which is planted exclusively with Alicante vines. However, these are also processed at Tenuta degli Dei. While the first Cavalli wine was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, Le Redini is a cuvée of 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Alicante. Naturally, the grapes are harvested and selected by hand with the utmost care. Ten months in barriques and a further six months in the bottle. The result is a young wine made from a rather unusual combination of grapes, which is very precise and harmonious despite its youth.

Tenuta degli Dei: The magnificent estate of Roberto and Tommaso Cavalli

Cavalli - a name that sounds familiar from international glossy magazines and the catwalks of the world. Roberto Cavalli - fashion designer and style icon - embodies this brand. However, the name Cavalli has come to stand for much more in recent years: for example, for fast horses and liquid delights. When Roberto Cavalli bought the 70-hectare estate in the tranquil district of San Leolino in Panzano in Chianti in the early 1970s as a place of peace and relaxation, nobody could have imagined that his son Tommaso would turn it into a successful company. Tommaso, who has lived and worked with his family at the Tenuta degli Dei since 1989, began by breeding trotting horses. These proud animals, which compete - and win - races all over the world, still have their home on the estate today. In recent years, a number of high-proof drinks have also been produced under the Cavalli label: grappa, vodka and gin are now an integral part of the Cavalli range. A peperoncino oil called Foho Fiorentino, which Tommaso's brother-in-law produces according to his own recipe, has also recently been launched. And since 2000, Tommaso has also been officially active as a winemaker. The results of his work are impressive!

Cavalli red wines: Tuscany in the blood and the world in the roots

As already mentioned, only international grape varieties grow in the vineyards of Tenuta degli Dei. You will search in vain for the autochthonous Sangiovese grape variety here: And yet there is a Chianti Classico with the name Forcole in the range. Connoisseurs will immediately ask themselves how this is possible if no Sangiovese is actually grown and one of the quality criteria for a certified Chianti Classcio DOCG is a proportion of 80 percent Sangiovese grapes? The solution to the riddle is relatively simple: Tommaso has leased a vineyard with Sangiovese vines nearby. However, the first wine in the Cavalli range was actually the Cavalli Toscana Rosso IGT from the 2004 vintage - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdun. This is followed by Le Redini IGT, which can be considered the youngster of the two IGTs due to its shorter time in barrel and bottle. In addition, Le Redini is a cuvée of Merlot and Alicante - with a very clear focus on the Merlot.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti

Tommaso and Roberto Cavalli

Gioia Cresti

12 ha

Galestro, clay

South

Panzano 350 - 400 meters above sea level, Florence 50 -100 meters above sea level.

6,700 vines per ha

Cordon