Description

Uccelliera Rapace Toscana

Uccelliera is the work of Andrea Cortonesi, a small family estate nestled in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the southeastern reaches of Montalcino. The estate sits at the foot of Monte Amiata, one of the most celebrated corners of all of Tuscany, where the combination of altitude, mineral-rich soils and a deeply traditional approach to farming produces wines of remarkable depth and character. Uccelliera has long been regarded as one of Montalcino’s finest small producers, earning a devoted following for wines that balance power with precision and reflect the land they come from with honesty and care.

Rapace is a Tuscan IGT red blend built around a backbone of Sangiovese selected from vineyards originally designated for Brunello di Montalcino, blended with estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The roughly seven hectares of vineyards were planted between 1975 and 2000 on calcareous clay and sandy soils layered with mineral-rich skeleton, farmed sustainably with a deep respect for each individual vine. Grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed with dry ice to prevent oxidation, and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts over 25 to 30 days. The wine then undergoes malolactic conversion in stainless steel before spending at least 12 months in French oak vessels, followed by a minimum of six months of bottle refinement.

Toscana IGT, Montalcino, Italy

Castelnuovo dell’Abate sits at the southeastern edge of the Montalcino zone, where elevations ranging from 150 to 350 meters above sea level and a unique mesoclimate influenced by nearby Monte Amiata create conditions distinct from the rest of the appellation. The calcareous clay and sandy soils are rich in minerals, lending the wines a characteristic depth and structure that speak clearly of their origins.

Uccelliera Rapace Toscana Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Deep ruby red with rich, concentrated hues and a polished, inviting clarity
• AROMA: Complex and expressive, with dark cherry, ripe plum and blackberry woven together with dried herbs, earthy minerality, a hint of leather and the subtle warmth of French oak
• TASTE: Full-bodied and structured, revealing layers of dark fruit, mocha, tobacco and iron-tinged minerality, balanced by the bright acidity and firm tannins that define great Sangiovese
• FINISH: Long and persistent with velvety tannins, lingering notes of dark berry, cedar and a savory mineral edge that invites the next sip
• ABV: 14.5%