Gianfranco Soldera, Case Basse Sangiovese Toscana 2018

96 points Wine Advocate
"The elusive and highly collectible Soldera Case Basse 2018 100% Sangiovese is already available in certain markets yet ultimately proves very hard to buy. I suspect it is easier to locate in the United States than in Italy. No matter, Soldera advocates will be very pleased with this latest release that maintains enormous Sangiovese character and brightness despite the uneven growing season (that saw a wet and cool spring and a hot summer). The legendary Gianfranco Soldera died the morning of February 16, 2019, from a heart attack while driving along the bucolic, vineyard-lined road near his winery. That means this is the last vintage manned directly by Soldera, a man who remained extremely active in the vineyards and the winery until the very end. His send-off to us is a delicately nuanced wine with cassis, wild berry, rosemary, pencil shaving and blood orange. This is a beautiful wine that pays tribute not only to Gianfranco Soldera but to his non-interventionist vision of Italian wine that has influenced so many younger vintners in his wake."

Vinous Reverie Notes
In the early 1970s, Gianfranco, an insurance broker by trade, and his wife Graziella Soldera were looking to buy a suitable property to begin a new life growing grapes and making wine. They found Case Basse, a 23 hectare estate in the heart of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and began planting an 10 hectare vineyard and ultimately creating a unique eco-system, botanical garden and a world-wide reputation for the wine grown in this unique location. Passionate about natural winegrowing, Gianfranco went about developing a system where every aspect of his operation was focused on respecting not only the vines but all the plant and animal life in the immediate area.  The result is a truly hand-made wine where every decision prioritizes the health of the ecosystem and minimizes the footprint of his operation on it.

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