Two Tuscan Producers, Reviewed: Fattoria Viticcio & Principe Corsini

We’re off to Tuscany this weekend, with an array of wines from two different producers, Principe Corsini and Viticcio

Principe Corsini, produces wines under two labels: Villa Le Corti, located in San Casciano Val di Pesa (Chianti Classico); and Tenuta Marsiliana in Maremma. 

Villa Le Corti is a large estate, more than 600 acres with about 120 planted to Sangiovese and some 180 acres planted to olive trees to produce Chianti Classico DOP olive oil. Tenuta Marsiliana is focused on producing Super Tuscan style wines from Maremma vineyards, which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Viticcio is located in Greve, in Chianti, and has been producing wine since 1964. Starting off with Chianit Classico, the estate now comprises about 300 acres spread among the hills of Chianti Classico, Maremma and Bolgheri.

The 2014 Tuscan reds I’ve tasted don’t have that dense, punchy quality of long-aging vintages, but they do have plenty of acidity, vibrant fruit, and also some structured tannins. They seem ready to drink young, which is a pleasure while the 2012s and the 2013s sleep for much longer.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Fattoria Viticcio Vermentino Greppico - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

$12

Light gold color. Fresh and floral aromatics with white peaches, honey, orange blossom. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity, flavors of salted lime, white peach, some notes of candle wax and honeycomb. Brisk but flavorful, a solid aperitif or summer salad kind of wine. (86 points)

2011 Fattoria Viticcio Monile Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

$46

Deep ruby/light purple color. Nose shows red and black currants with lots of incense sticks, violets, black tea, spearmint and chewing tobacco. Full-bodied, moderate acidity, fleshy but structured tannins. Tangy black currants and plum skins, rich texture to the fruit but a suave feel. Complex elements of charcoal, graphite, lots of tobacco and menthol, deep iron and earthy notes. Plenty of time ahead, or a good decant advised if drinking now. (90 points)

2015 Fattoria Viticcio Morellino di Scansano - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Morellino di Scansano

$12

Light purple/deep ruby color. Smells of warm clay, roasted chestnut and tobacco barn on top of red and black plum compote. Full and really saucy with medium-low acidity and dry, grainy tannins. Roasted herbs, sun-scorched earth, a really roasted aesthetic, mixing with dark plums and black cherries. Lots of dusty, earthy, charcoal notes. Could definitely use a few years to unwind. Sangiovese with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. (87 points)

2014 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$13

Light purple color. Plum, black cherry aromas with roasted herbs and tobacco. Medium-bodied, balanced across the board with dusty tannins, medium acidity, tart red currants and berry compote. Notes of bay leaf, tobacco barn, scorched earth, some violets. Ready to drink but could hold for a few years. (88 points)

2013 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$19

Deep purple color. Nose shows tart black currants, blackberries, deep earth, gravel, iron, coffee, lovely stuff. Great concentration but lovely freshness, this is a powerful but quite elegant wine showing beautiful black fruit (currants and black cherries) along with lots of smashed rocks, iron, espresso, roasted herbs and tobacco. Notes of sweet violets and vanilla are woven in well. Shows great structure for the cellar, but can be appreciated now, especially with a good decant. (91 points)

2013 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Prunaio - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$29

Deep purple color. Complex aromatic display of red and black currants, dusty earth, violets cedar, coffee. Bold structure with grippy tannins and moderating acidity. Plum cake, black currant, oozing blackberries, the fruit is rich but tangy and doused in violets, sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla, espresso, potting soil. Deep and concentrated but so pretty, it really opens up with a few hours and gets suave and velvety. A very long life ahead. (93 points)

2014 Principe Corsini Costa Toscana Birillo - Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Costa Toscana Rosso

$18

Deep ruby/light purple color. Aromas of spicy red currants and blackberry jam mixed with coffee, sweet violets and cola. Medium+ body, smooth tannins, moderating acidity. Black cherries and roasted plums blend well with coffee, violets, dark earth and cola notes. Fun stuff for sure, seems for more near-term drinking. From sandy/silty, sea level soils, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend sees 12 months in old oak. (86 points)

2014 Principe Corsini Le Corti Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$21

Deep ruby color. The nose shows tart red currants, black cherries, loaded with tobacco, eucalyptus, sage, coffee, earth and violets – lovely stuff. Dusty/moderately grippy tannins, but bright acidity, lots of tangy red currants and juicy black cherries. Flavors of dried rose and violet petals, a lot of charcoal, incense sticks, dusty earth, a lingering graphite and mineral component. Vibrant and delicious now but lots of aging potential as well. (90 points)

2014 Principe Corsini Chianti Classico Cortevecchia Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$38

Vibrant ruby color. Waves of fruit on the nose (red currant, strawberry, black cherry and plum) along with rosemary, eucalyptus, tobacco and rich earth. Structured tannins combine nicely with vibrant acidity. Dark plums, red and black currants, laced with smoky herbs, spices, violets, potting soil. Bold in flavor, solid in structure, but fresh and lively, too – I love this wine, but will likely love it more in a few years. (91 points)

2014 Principe Corsini Chianti Classico Don Tommaso Gran Selezione - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

$48

Deep ruby/light purple color. Waves of vibrant but rich red and black currant fruit, laced with spicy tobacco, herbs, graphite, rose petals, earth, roasted coffee. Full but suave with moderate tannins and tart, crisp acidity. Gorgeous, silky but tart red and black currants and cherries, mixed with complex sage, oregano, tilled soil, tobacco, well-integrated coffee and cedar elements. That 2014 approachability but this has the structure to improve. Aged 18 months in 70% new French oak. (92 points)

2012 Principe Corsini Tenuta Marsiliana Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

$48

Rich ruby color. Nose shows plush currants, roasted plums, tangy black cherries, notes of eucalyptus, sage, tobacco, black pepper. Full-bodied on the palate with vibrant acidity, plush but so much backbone. Tart black currants, plum skins, black cherries, rich in iron, earth and charcoal, dusted with sage, violets, anise and clove. Lots of years ahead of this, but it’s beautiful. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged 15 months in barrel and 12 months in bottle before release. (92 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.