Guicciardini Strozzi

Our superb visit to Castello Brolio overran somewhat. This, combined with getting stuck behind every tractor, cement mixer and caravan on the road meant that we were seriously late for our visit to Guicciardini Strozzi. Not a winery I knew much about before we visited - this one was organised by Adam (and I think it was another one which was recommended in the Monty Waldin book). Fortunately, we were still able to have a tour of the grounds and a tasting of the wines despite our severe tardiness.

This is a winery with immense history. The first documentary evidence for the estate is from 994, which makes the Mazzei family (Castello di Fonterutoli) look like absolute newcomers! We were met at the estate by the Principessa who took us on a tour of the winery before taking us to the tasting room. It's not every day you meet someone who is related to both the Mona Lisa and Winston Churchill. The tasting room was filled with pictures of the Principessa meeting famous people from around the world
(including an excellent photo of Berlusconi clearly saying something very rude to her judging by her expression in the picture!) so we were clearly in good company.

I was very impressed with the wines - particularly since my expectations were low because of the other Vernaccia di San Gimignano I had drunk before. The normal Vernaccia was the best example we found during our Tuscan holiday and the Cusone "1933" was the most interesting white wine of the holiday.

The tasting
This was the final visit of the holiday. Despite the heavy wine-drinking of the preceding few days our tired palates still found plenty to excite us

1. Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008
An excellent example of how the classic style of Vernaccia should be done. Bitter almonds, herbs and medicinal notes on the nose. Dry, with high acid, bitter and mineralic. Long with an interesting and mineralic finish. Very good.

2. Cusona "1933" 2007
This one is Vernaccia made in an unusual way: some oaked grapes, some unoaked grapes and some partially dried grapes. Medium intensity tropical fruit and oak. Honey, melon, banana. Smooth mouthfeel. Dry, but tastes a little sweet from the dried grapes. Intense tropical fruit on the palate with some mineralic notes. This is full bodied
for a white. Outstanding.

3. Sodole 2005
100% Sangiovese IGT
Deep ruby. Medium-high aroma intensity - meaty, blackberries, violets, leather, vanilla. Medium-high acid and high tannin. Full bodied. Plenty of liquorice. Long, but with a grippy finish. Needs time. Very good, particularly after a little time in the glass.

4. Vigna Re 2005, Bolgheri
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot blend
Medium ruby with a pale rim. Blackcurrant, vanilla. Very high tannin, high acid. Full bodied. Finish a little harsh. Good, should improve with age