The Podere Prunetto of Massimiliano and Riccardo Lanza sits dramatically and in splendid isolation on a ridge a few kilometres north of Radda in Chianti. It is surrounded by mixed forest, from which the occasional pair of cypresses rises. The estate has been in the family since the 1960s; the first vineyard — the very one in which the vines for the Chianti Classico Riserva are rooted — was planted in 1972.
It lies directly below the winery, where the slope drops steeply southwards into the valley. Although we are in the heart of Tuscany, one can quite rightly speak of mountain viticulture here. The highest rows of vines reach 550 metres above sea level, a fact that expresses itself in the wine’s taut, vertical structure. The soil is sandy and laced with limestone.
Massimiliano cultivates his vines organically, with manual work taking absolute priority. Unlike the basic Chianti, which also includes small shares of Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo, the Riserva is made exclusively from Sangiovese. It undergoes spontaneous fermentation in cement vats and is then matured for at least two years in 3,000-litre oak casks. In our view, it ranks among the very best the region has to offer.
Its aromas are earthy, dark-fruited, metallic and herbal. Deep and ever-present, they settle into a compact, demanding yet inviting texture that carries energy and tension across the palate. The tannins are tender, and the acidity — as is typical for the terroir around Radda — provides verticality without pushing to the foreground. The finish is balanced, shaped by subtle aromatic nuances, and leaves you wanting more.
Technical Sheet
- Grape variety: 100% Sangiovese
- Farming: Organic
- Vineyard: Limestone & clay soils, old vines
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: Spontaneous | wild yeasts in cement
- Maturation: 24 months in large oak casks
- Filtration: None
- SO₂: < 50 mg/l
- Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving temperature: 16–18°C
- Optimal drinking window: From now – 2035
- Content and price per litre: 0.75 l (€39.87/l)
Principle: All winemakers listed by Vinonudo work in their vineyards with compost, organic fertiliser and natural preparations, and avoid the use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilisers.
