Monkeyshed Wines

Terra di Siena, Sesti, Castello di Argiano, Tuscany, Italy '01

The Sesti family live in the most beautiful spot in the most beautiful part of one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Giugi Sesti and his English wife, Sarah, fled the hustle and bustle of Venice for a tranquil life in an abandoned castle hamlet in rural Tuscany. Here Giugi found the solitude to write his books, Sarah the space to build her garden and both the inclination to raise a charming family. Gluttons for punishment, in the early 1990s they decided to plant a vineyard. Giugi’s background is in the study of ancient calendars and the origins of the celestial sphere. Unsurprisingly, he has extended his understanding of and respect for biodynamic principles to his vineyard and winemaking techniques.
Terra di Siena is the Sestis’ obligatory Super Tuscan. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that has quietly developed no mean reputation. For me Super Tuscans can be a big disappointment, more about dressing than content, but this wine delivers. The Terra is not just a Bordeaux blend from Tuscany but a wine that uses the characteristics of those classical varieties and adds to this solid base a layer of flavours that could only come from the Montalcino terroir.
Giugi’s approach to winemaking involves minimum intervention and as such the wine will throw a crust. This is good. The wine will benefit from being decanted both to avoid the chewy bits and to get some air to that delicious juice.

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