PaDelletti
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Silvano Tarducci
There are few crafts in life that can command the attention and livelihood of 27 generations, but the Padelletti family has been caring for land in Montalcino since 1571. Documents and recovered labels have proven their presence in Montalcino from generation to generation, and their cellars are still located beneath the family’s 16th century home. From fathers to sons and mothers to daughters, each passing generation has held on strong to tradition, in fact - as a renowned wine journalist once claimed - “there are traditionalists and there is Padelletti.” They’ve never strayed far from aging in 30-hectoliter Slavonian botti nor has the reputable elegance and freshness of their wines varied, attributed to their high lying vineyards on the north side of town. The Padelletti family has paved much of the history of this outstanding winemaking region, and have changed very little in terms of their philosophy along the way: genuine care and respect for tradition plus deep respect for the environment.
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The Padelletti winery is one of the most historic in all of Montalcino, reigning from 1571. Five hundred years of history curated by a single family. They have held the longest holdings of vineyards around the city of Montalcino, located on the north side in the historic Rigaccini plot, and today are one of the only families to continue cultivating vines exclusively in this area. Today, the estate is guided by Claudia Susanna Padelletti - the 27th generation of the family - along with her son, Silvano Tarducci. All farming is done strictly under organic and biodynamic processes.
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The Padelletti family farms 6 hectares in total on the north side of Montalcino in the Canalicchio area by the road to Buonconvento in Località Rigaccini. This slope faces Siena and is notoriously cooler in respect to other areas. Padelletti’s vines are located uniquely in a single block on soils with calcareous clay. Given the underlying limestone and calcium-rich clay, this area is particularly known for making enticingly aromatic Brunello. The altitude of the Padelletti holdings hits at nearly 430 meters above sea level - one of the highest in the area, guaranteeing sharp day and night temperature changes - and the vine age ranges from 30 to 60 years old, with the younger vines being used for Rosso. The plot notoriously turns out an exceptionally elegant expression of Sangiovese.
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All farming is done strictly using organic practices, and biodynamics have also been introduced. They expect to be certified in 2023. About 2 hectares of Sangiovese from the lower elevation vines in the Rigaccini vineyard is dedicated to Rosso di Montalcino, while the estate’s remaining 4 hectares are reserved for Brunello.
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Tradition, tradition, tradition! The Padelletti cellars are located underneath their 16th century home in the heart of the town of Montalcino. All fermentations are carried out in glass-lined cement tanks with native yeasts. Juice macerates on the skins for about 3-5 weeks depending on the vintage and bottling. All wines are aged in large, 30hl Slavonian or French oak botti. The Padelletti’s have worked with consultant enologist Antonio Mori for years.
Wines
Rosso di Montalcino
Padelletti sources the fruit for their Rosso from a 20 year old vineyard, that provides Sangiovese with a notable lift and delicate aromatics. The maceration for Rosso is a minimum of 14 days but can be up to 21 days depending on the character of the vintage. It is refined for 6 to 12 months in large oak casks. It’s a real head turner, exquisitely balancing weight with elegance.
Brunello di Montalcino
The Padelletti’s have four hectares from which they produce Brunello, exclusively. The maceration is a minimum of 20 days but can be up to 30, depending on the vintage. It is then aged for two to three years in large oak barrels. The wine is left in bottle for 6 to 12 months before being released. The result is typically one of the most classic, steadfast examples of northern Montalcino, where quality is always favored over quantity.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
A Riserva is hardly a wine produced every vintage, instead the Padelletti’s reserve this wine for the right years that yield all of the right conditions. Maceration is the longest in the cellar, usually a full 30 days. The wine is then aged at least three years in large oak casks - longer than Brunello - before being released.