The Wine: Sincero Sangiovese 2018

Cosimo Maria Masini Sincero Sangiovese is a red natural wine made from biodynamic Sangiovese grapes grown in Tuscany, Central Italy. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel, brief passage in big botti, unfiltered, minimal sulfites at bottling. Medium body red wine, nice fruit with black cherries and raspberries, vertical on the palate, persistent and slightly tannic. One of my favorite Sangiovese on Primal, made very well by talented winemaker Francesco de Filippis whom I've had the pleasure to meet.

The Producer: Cosimo Maria Masini

Cosimo Maria Masini lies in the hills of San Minato, located in the province of Pisa and in the heart of Tuscany. An ancient medieval village found along the historical Via Francigena, San Miniato is famous for wine and world-renowned white truffle. In this area, viticulture has ancient origins with a history of more than 2 thousand years. The winery extends for 40 hectares (100 acres) on a single hill cultivated with vines, olive orchards, and other crops. Villa la Selva, the heart of the estate, is an ancient residence that belonged to the Buonaparte Family. It was later purchased by Marchese Cosimo Ridolfi, a famous agronomist of the time, who, during the mid-1800’s constructed the winery (which is still used today) and began to work the vineyards with innovative techniques of the time.

The estate has been owned by the Masini family from the year 2000. Maria Paoletti Masini, in particular, found a passion for the estate and began to develop activities, managing both marketing, and communications. A lawyer by trade and passionate contemporary art collector, apparently very far from agriculture, she felt that they are actually very connected: all rooted in the search for beauty, elegance, and equilibrium.

In 2012, the Masini family was joined by agronomist and agriculturalist Francesco De Filippis. Originally from Campania in Southern Italy, he is an expert in biological and biodynamic agriculture and not just in wine. (source: The Living Vine)

The Region: Tuscany

The Terroir of Tuscany

In Tuscany, there are several microclimates that contribute to different terroirs. This is particularly evident if we look at the different styles of Sangiovese: cooler areas Sangiovese such as in Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino to, and warmer area Morellino di Scansano.

Generally speaking, the climate varies from temperate and generally warm on the coast to cooler, with significant temperature variations between day and night inland, getting progressively warmer as we move south.

The Red Wines of Tuscany

Tuscany is home of the most widely planted red grape varietal in Italy, Sangiovese, which is present in a variety of clones with different names based on location. Classic Tuscan red wines Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Morellino di Scansano are made respectively with Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello, Prugnolo Gentile, Morellino.

Chianti is also made with Sangiovese, grown all over the Chianti region, traditionally blended with indigenous red grapes Colorino and Canaiolo – although in recent years Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have also been used.

The coastal area around the town of Bolgheri, and more recently the southwestern area called Maremma Toscana, is where Super Tuscans find their home. Super Tuscan wines are blends including non-indigenous varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and Syrah.

These French grape varietals are often blended with local Sangiovese, but we also have several examples of non-blended Super Tuscans.

The White Wines of Tuscany

In Tuscany we can also find great examples of white wines, Vernaccia di San Giminiano being the most characteristic, and sweet wines – Vin Santo, Aleatico Passito dell’Elba.

Trebbiano Toscano is the most widely planted white grape varietal but in recent years we have seen an increase in popularity of Vermentino and in some areas Chardonnay.