Notes from Skurnik:

"Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi’s 49 acres of vineyards lie in the Monti area of the Chianti Classico commune of Gaiole. San Marcellino, his top vineyard, comprises rocky soils–a mix of friable schist called galestro and a form of limestone called albarese, plus clay. Sangiovese from this area possesses a strong backbone and mineral expression and is capable of long aging. That comes through in this muscular wine, full of blackberry, tar, and iron flavors in a tightly wound structure. The blend, with a bit of Pugnitello, is fermented in cement vats and aged in large, conical oak vats."