What is it about Tuscany that produces such fine wines? Is it the picturesque conditions, row upon row of neatly planted Sangiovese vines? Is the almost ideal weather conditions, hot in the summer; cold in the winter? Or is it the inherent knowledge of its winemakers, generation upon generation of heritage passed down from father to son. Well yes to all of those, but at just 25-years old, how does that explain Podere Poggio Scalette?

The answer is simple. Yes, Podere Poggio Scalette is still very young amongst its heavyweight super-Tuscan neighbours. And yes, winemaker Jurij Fiore is still relatively new to the fine wine business. But what we are dismissing is the all-important heritage of both the vineyard and its maker. Fiore is none other than celebrated oenologist Vittorio Fiore son and the vineyard is set in none other than Il Carbonaione, the first part of Chianti to be replanted after World War I. This means that while Podere Poggio Scalette is young on paper, it is underscored by 90-year old vines and years of savoir-faire.

Having expanded in 1996 and again in 2007, Podere Poggio Scalette remains relatively small. Just 15-hectares of the 40-hectares estate are given over to vines (another 10 produce their delicious olive oil). Four reds and one white produced for a 45,000 bottle production, the most notable of which is the Il Carbonaione, named after the original estate. A consistent high scorer - 2015’s offering earned a 95+ score from Antonio Gallioni and 99 from James Suckling, this would be the best bottle to add to your portfolio, cellar or table. Very reasonably priced, growth between 2018 and 2019 has been a steady 30%, although other vintages (2012) have suffered significant losses.