Vineyards Magazine

A Gran Selezione with roots in the past

Some stories begin beforehand: before rules, before names, before maps.

This is the case with Castello di Querceto, which since 1897 has continued to narrate in depth its unique terroir, doing so through wines that, over time, have evolved while at the same time remaining true to themselves.

This is the case too with La Corte, today a proud Gran Selezione, but already a cru by the early 1900s. The first recorded vinifications date back to the late 19th century, and the historic cellar still treasures a bottle from 1904 (!).

“The first to understand the value of the La Corte vineyard was my grandfather,” says Alessandro François, who, together with his son Simone, today helms the family winery rising in the hills of Dudda in Chianti. “The surprising thing is that from the very beginning, La Corte has always been a pure Sangiovese,” he continues, “a very early precursor of contemporary winemaking practices.”

La Corte is a 3.4-hectare vineyard lying on the hill opposite the Castle, approximately 450 meters above sea level. The vines, which have been gradually replanted over the years, face south/southwest, soaking up the sun’s rays until the very last moment of sunset.

All around are forests of holm oaks and chestnut trees, typical of the area, and this environment, combined with the altitude and exposure, contributes to creating an ideal microclimate for this parcel.

Finally, the soils. Motivated by their initial insight, the fruit of long vineyard experience, the François family carefully analysed the soils of La Corte in the 1970s and realised that they are a unique mix of sand and magnesium.

Thanks in part to this scientific revelation, in 1978 Alessandro François decided to upgrade La Corte’s Sangiovese as a cru, making it one of the standard-bearers of his winery.

Natural elegance, freshness, and a distinctive aromatic finesse have always marked this great Tuscan wine, which first rose from a Vino da Tavola to IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale. Then, the Gran Selezione designation was created, and since 2017 the wine has become one of its most authentic representatives.

The 2021 vintage now arriving on the market (slowly, in keeping with Castello di Querceto’s tradition) tells the story of a year of contrasts transformed into harmony. A cool, rainy spring gave way to a bright, even summer, while some September rains cooled the air, encouraging perfect ripeness in the fruit. The harvest took place on 14 October 2021.

“It was an intense and somewhat delayed harvest, but it gifted us wines of extraordinary complexity,” explains Simone François. “We are very pleased with how we succeeded in preserving the character of La Corte’s Sangiovese.”

After fermentation and maceration in temperature-controlled stainless steel for approximately two weeks, the wine matured in Tronçais and Allier barriques and tonneaux for 12 months and then rested in bottle until release.

La Corte 2021 was produced in a limited edition of 14,500 bottles and is available in Italy and major markets worldwide.