Codirosso was a knight during the Middle Ages who was renown for his valor. He was called Codirosso (meaning red tail) because of the distinct red tail feather which adorned his helmet. It was said that the sight of his red feather on the battlefield gave courage to his men and struck fear in the hearts of his advisories. Codirosso came from Tuscany and was the fierce protector of the lands where these vineyards are located in Firenze, Pistoia, Siena and Arezzo. The different vineyard sites allows for the selection of the best grapes from each area.
The vineyards contain a field blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera and Colorino. Colorino was nearly completely wiped out by phylloxera and was replanted by few as it did not take well to the hearty, anti-phylloxera root stock from America. It acts like Petit Verdot does in a Bordeaux blend, it adds color and structure without overpowering the Sangiovese. Canaiolo also did not take well to the new root stock and was difficult to grow, but its importance in the blend with its velvety tannins, fruitiness and neutral caused Chianti producers to search out special clones which would thrive in their vineyards. Malvasia Nera enriches the blend with fruity, floral aromatics and soft tannins. Malvasia only does well in dry cllimates and can be difficult to vinify but it is well worth the effort. The producers of the Codirosso vineyards have sought out the perfect clones of each of these rarer varietals and their Sangiovese is a low-yielding clone which gives the wine the perfect acidity, tannin and ripe cherry notes.
Codirosso is proud to be a traditional Chianti using only the classic grapes which have been used for centuries dating back to the time when the knight Codirosso roamed this same area seeking adventure and honor.
Ruby red color with purple reflections. Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The palate is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. Well balanced and dry with a persistent, satisfying finish.
Grilled, braised or roasted meats, dishes flavored with mushrooms, or rosemary. Excellent with polenta dishes.
"Dark garnet color. Aromas and flavors of wet horse blanket and shoe polish, tomato leaf, ripe and dried cherry, and rose and cedar with a satiny, lively, bone-dry medium body and a tingling, interesting, breezy finish with impressions of cherry, sun ripened tomato and tomato leaf, and tobacco and oregano with grippy, coating, woody tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A food friendly rustic style of Chianti that would be right at home overlooking a pastoral Tuscan landscape."
- Beverage Testing Institute (March 2023), 88 pts, Highly Recommended, Best Buy
"Dusty garnet color. Earthy aromas and flavors of dried sour cherry and sundried tomato, honey roasted mushrooms, chocolate yogurt, and hint of barnyard with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length nuts, cranberry compote, and earth finish with a suggestion of oak. A nice combination of bright fruit and rusticity will bode well for the hunter's table."
- Beverage Testing Institute (August 31st 2016), 88 pts
Silver Medal - Highly recommended - Best Buy
"A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 87 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25
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