Podere Ciona was an accident. Franca and Franco Gatteschi were on the hunt for a country estate for their retirement when they found a run-down property near the village of Gaiole in the higher elevation part of Chianti in 1990. The 2.5 hectare, nearly wild vineyard below the house was an afterthought. It took three years to get the house in livable condition and a full decade before they finally gave in and elected to make wine full time with the help of their children. This "Super Tuscan" is an homage to Franca’s love of right bank Bordeaux, made entirely from Merlot. On the nose, this wine offers classic Tuscan notes of well worn leather, cranberries cooked together with raspberries and cherries into a compote, with dried soil. After a decade of age, a touch of orange peel has come out with tamarind, cinnamon, vanilla, underbrush, and oak spices, an elegant spread of aromas. As tempting as it is to just smell the wine all night, it is pretty tasty too. Roasted red berry pie fruits lead the palate but do not overwhelm notes of leather, orange, chocolate, and potpourri. Full bodied, warm and well structured, with stern tannins only now rounding into shape. A savory touch of herbs and hoisin sauce lingers on the finish. We featured this wine earlier this year, and we’re both surprised and pleased to have another chance at it!