January 22, 2025
Le Cinciole - A Tuscan producer to get well aquatinted with
“Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini have quietly turned Le Cinciole into one of the leading estates in all of Italy. Biodynamic farming and a minimalist aesthetic in the cellar inform wines of tremendous character and pedigree. Long aging seems especially well suited to these reds. Readers should do everything they can to check out these new releases.” - Antonio Galloni on the 2020’s
Today we have an under-the-radar Italian winery to present. For us, it ticks all the boxes being from a winery that we’ve been wanting to offer for a long time, not only because we love the wine style but also because the price-to-quality ratio here is incredible. We’ve also managed to get a small parcel of the Gran Selezione from the highly esteemed 2016 vintage, one that should need no introduction for Italian wine enthusiasts.
Le Cinciole, nestled in the heart of Chianti Classico near Panzano, is a standout estate celebrated for its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, producing authentic expressions of Sangiovese. Founded in 1991 by husband-and-wife team Valeria Viganò and Luca Orsini, the estate spans 30 hectares of high-altitude vineyards, olive groves, and forest, cultivated with respect for the environment. Recognised by Antonio Galloni as "one of the leading estates in all of Italy," Le Cinciole neighbours prestigious producers like Fontodi and Castello dei Rampolla. Their hands-off approach includes fermentation in cement and ageing in a mix of casks and French oak barrels, with a shift to larger formats enhancing the wines' vibrant, terroir-driven character.
Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Aluigi Gran Selezione 2016 exemplifies the estate's commitment to terroir-driven winemaking and quality. Crafted from their oldest Sangiovese vines in Panzano's renowned Conca d’Oro, this rare Gran Selezione, with only 4,000 bottles produced annually, offers remarkable depth and elegance. The wine hails from a single southeast-facing vineyard at 430–450 metres, rooted in limestone-rich clay over Panzano’s pietraforte bedrock. Fermented with indigenous yeast in cement tanks, it matures for 24 months in traditional French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in cement and a year in bottle, showcasing exceptional purity and finesse.
Le Cinciole is a Chianti producer well worth discovering, and the 2016 vintage offers the perfect introduction. The Aluigi 2016 has received high praise from critics, and when compared to typical Gran Selezione pricing from top-tier producers, it stands out as a true bargain at €39.50 inc VAT per bottle (see table comparison below). With only a small selection of the 2016 available, Sangiovese enthusiasts should act quickly to secure this exceptional wine for their collection.
Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Aluigi Gran Selezione 2016
€39.50* inc VAT per bottle
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.
96 Points | Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri is fabulous. Bright, vibrant and intensely aromatic, the 2016 is total seduction right out of the glass. Intense floral/spiced aromatics, red/purplish berry fruit, spice, tobacco and mocha all race out of the glass in a wine that brilliantly marries power with finesse. The Aluigi is a Gran Selezione for the first time in 2016. It's quite simply one of the finest wines I have tasted from Le Cinciole.
18 Points | Jancis Robinson, Walter Speller
Panzano in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese from a single vineyard. Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks. Aged in French oak casks. Unfiltered. Certified organic. Deep, lustrous ruby. Fragrant and deep red fruit with iodine hints and a mere suggestion of oak. Elegant, concentrated yet not heavy. Supple cherry fruit with finely grained tannins. Still embryonic, but showing great purity.
95 Points | Decanter, Michaela Morris
As of the 2016 vintage, Le Cinciole’s Aluigi bottling has been upgraded from Riserva to Gran Selezione. It hails from a single, southeast-facing vineyard between 430 to 450 metres, boasting a strong presence of limestone-rich clay over Panzano’s classic pietraforte bedrock. This has quite a wow-factor, with arresting aromas of yellow broom, wild thyme and dried citrus. The palate is very mineral-driven and firm, though elegant in size and structure. Vigorous stony tannins wrap around a succulent core, while accents of leather and liquorice ring out on the finish.