Le Cinciole - A trio of great Tuscan wines
These handmade wines embody the artisan spirit of Chianti Classico.
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, July 2025
2021 Petresco, Le Cinciole
£225 per 6 bottle case in bond
2020 Camalaione, Le Cinciole
£190 per 6 bottle case in bond
We recently offered the Aluigi 2021 from Le Cinciole, a stunning Chianti Gran Selezione from a superb vintage. This compelled me on a drab, drizzly day in Suffolk to open samples of two other new releases from this outstanding Tuscan estate, and I am pleased to say neither disappointed. In fact, they momentarily made me dream of Tuscan sunshine!
It is sometimes hard to express how impressed I am with a particular set of wines in an email – the more enthusiastic you sound, the more hard-sell it seems. And if you describe something in a relatively matter of fact manner, you sound like you are going through the motions – you really can’t win.
That said, I’ll try once more – the wines of Le Cinciole (pronounced chin-chee-oh-lay) have impressed me on all levels – the quality of their recent releases sits among the great and good of Tuscany and yet the prices comfortably below. Whether it is the Aluigi, the Camalaione or the Petresco, they punch well above their weight. Few clients will have had a chance to taste the wines from this Panzano-based estate yet, as we have been offering new releases from 2019, 2020 and 2021 that need a little patience, but I feel sure that these wines will win favour when the time comes to pull the corks. I have little doubt that Valeria and Luca Vigano’s wines will become mainstays in our range.
2021 Petresco, Le Cinciole
£225 per 6 bottle case in bond
We offered the outstanding 2020 a while back and the 2021 is in the same league, as you might expect from a very fine Tuscan vintage. This is a single-vineyard Sangiovese coming from a high altitude site, 470 metres over sea level. The Viganos consider this the finest vineyard within their 10 hectares of vineyard – it is based on classic Galestro soils (a fragmented sedimentary rock which includes a significant amount of clay minerals – effectively a type of slate over Pietraforte sandstone). Production is tiny – just 5,000 bottles per annum on average.
Tasting this wine some three/ four months after Antonio Galloni, I think you can see the fruit coming to the fore, and I don’t find the oak dominating. The wine spends 24 months in a mix of barriques and casks, which is necessary to tame the youthful vigour of this assertive Sangiovese. Duskier in character than the 2020, there is a wealth of fruit on the palate, exuberant, juicy with a minerally backbone. The 2020 has the early drinking appeal and accessibility, the 2021 will need a little more patience, but has the potential to be the superior wine in time.
Please see Antonio Galloni’s note from July below.
95 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (July 2025)
The 2021 Petresco is a huge, dense red. The dark, virile side of Sangiovese soars from the glass. Black cherry, lavender, sage, menthol and licorice stain the palate. Aeration releases the wine's lifted, expansive aromatics. This is an especially dense, powerful vintage for Petresco. I find the new oak a bit prominent at this stage, but that should be less of an issue in a few years' time. Petresco spends two years in wood (equal parts cask and barrique) followed by a year in cement. 2028-2041
2020 Camalaione, Le Cinciole
£190 per 6 bottle case in bond
I often find myself underwhelmed by central Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon. They often show good fruit but lack some complexity and can come across a little unyielding. This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with equal parts of Syrah and Merlot is something else. It has a looser-knit feel, with such a juicy dark fruit, cassis and cherry to the fore. Just like the last vintage, it has a opulent, exuberant character that makes me think I would enjoy it tonight, if given a chance to breathe in a decanter. I simply love the layered fruit and the soft, textural nature of this wine with its hints of spice, mint and sage. For a blend that is dominated by bold, thick skinned grape varieties the joyous, open nature of this wine signals gentle extraction and a deft hand in winemaking. What a bargain….and yes, I might just give it a chance in that decanter tonight.
Once more, please see Antonio Galloni’s note from July below.
94+ points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (July 2025)
The 2020 Camalaione is another fine effort from Le Cinciole. Blackberry, lavender, spice, sage, menthol, licorice and chocolate are all dialed up in this sumptuous red. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates with its savory/mineral inflections. The 2020 was bottled a month before this tasting. I won't be at all surprised if it is even better with a few years in bottle. The 2020 was vinified in amphora and aged in French oak barrels. 2027-2040
I should add that we still have a few cases of Aluigi in stock too – you can view the offer here.
Please let us know of your interest.
Simon
simon.larkin@atlasfinewines.com