CECCHI WINES FROM ITALY AND A MEET UP WITH THE WINEMAKER

– tn-3 tn-10

Michael Hepworth

CECCHI WINES FROM ITALY AND A MEET UP WITH THE WINEMAKER

Beverly Hills (Spiritsman) 6/17/17/–This Chianti based winemaker Andre Cecchi made a lightning trip to Beverly Hills recently and we got the chance to try some of his exceptional wines. The winery which sits in a slight elevation in a windy area has been around since 1893 and I can certainly say outright that the four wines tasted were all quite exceptional. Chianti itself for those lucky enough to have spent some time there is an enchanting area dating back to medieval times with ancient churches and small friendly villages dotting the countryside.

The wines are distributed in the USA by Terlato Wines ensuring a good availability at your local wine store. The first wine we tried was the ‘Cecchi La Mora Vermentino Maremma DOC 2016.’ a fresh and light start to the tasting that is a bit of a steal at $15. The ‘Cecchi Storia di Famiglia ($21)’ is a Chianti from 2014 which is aged for 8 months and spends over a year in the barrel.

My favorite was the ‘Cecchi Riserva di Famiglia Chianti’ from 2013, a wine retailing for $41 that has an intense taste and great balance. Only about 500 cases of this wine are produced, and it is only produced during vintages that meet the winemakers very high standards. A very complex wine with a hint of dried flowers and spices and it is a wine aged for 12months. Sangiovese is 90% of the grape content and this is a must wine for serious Italian food.

Top of the line is the ‘Coevo 2011 ($106) a wine of four different grapes that goes through 18 months of aging in French Oak. Prime grape is the Sangiovese and the case run is tiny, hence the high price. The other grapes in the mix are Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and this is a wine that reflects the winery philosophy of elegance, style and quality.