2022 Siepi
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Siepi is a supremely elegant, polished wine. Even so, it has shut down significantly since I tasted it just prior to bottling, likely a reflection of the decision to use a selection of more vibrant Sangioveses for the blend in this vintage. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and licorice build nicely with a bit of coaxing. Over the last few years, the Mazzei family has gradually given their wines a touch more focus and energy, qualities that come through loud and clear here.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full bottle all of 1,507 g. Has the carbon footprint message not reached Tuscany? This is even heavier than the 2019 bottle! 50:50 Sangiovese:Merlot from their single vineyard in Castellina in Chianti (See here for background to this emblematic wine). 24- to 37-year-old vines at 260 m. Picked from 5 September (Merlot) and 17 September (Sangiovese). Aged 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new) for the Merlot and tonneaux for the Sangiovese. Deep purplish crimson. Luscious wine than tastes like a cross between a ripe-vintage Chianti Classico with quite a bite on the end and luscious Napa red. Very serious wine that should appeal to those who appreciate Sangiovese's special qualities. We're about to enjoy it with spiced duck breast and I will probably decant it as there is still quite a heavy tannic charge. Added later The leftovers in an opened bottle tasted even better three days later, which bodes extremely well for the evolution of this wine. (JR)
The Mazzei 2022 Siepi marks this wine's 30th anniversary. I have a special connection to this wine, as I was present when some of the final blending options (with fruit from various parcels within the greater Siepi vineyard) were being decided. My personal preference was for the interpretation that showed the brightest fruit and the most energy. Those qualities are transferred over to this bottle, and I do agree that this celebratory vintage offers an excellent opportunity to tweak the winemaking of this historic blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This warm vintage offers plenty of primary fruit with bold cherry as the protagonist. Softer tones of blue flower and grilled rosemary appear at the back. However, the oak spice and cinnamon need time to integrate. The results put the 2022 vintage on par with classic years such as 2021 and 2019.
Deep ruby in colour, this is concentrated compared to many in Tuscany, love the super savoury feel, tongue-scraping architecture, with so much freshly cut herb edging and heavy liqourice root and gunsmoke alongside raspberry and cassis fruit. Brilliant, up there with the very best of the Bordeaux-Tuscan wines, where the grapes and the region truly each play their part in creating the personality of the wine. The vineyards for Siepi are in Castellina in Chianti, harvest September 5 to 17, 70% new oak for ageing, large oak casks for the Sangiovese, then three months in concrete tanks before release. Tasted with the September Releases and again at the estate.