Giusti & Zanza Nemorino 2021

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Grape Varieties: 60% Syrah, 20% Sangiovese & 20% Merlot

This wine is produced in the Fauglian hills, a micro-climate located in between Pisa and the Tuscan coast. Proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea leads to cooler average temperatures, a longer growing season, and even impacts the local soil types, with Jurassic-era limestone and fossils found in many vineyard sites. With such a unique terroir contributing to the quality of the wine, many producers in the region have been experimenting with French grape varieties as well as the native Sangiovese, including I Giusti & Zanza, founded in 1996.

I Giusti & Zanza is organically certified and has been using biodynamic preparations since its inception. In the vineyards, native flora grow between the vines, increasing soil health. The vines themselves are planted close together which increases resource competition, meaning that each vine produces smaller quantities of high-quality fruit. This wine is composed predominantly of Syrah which, although uncommon in Italy, thrives at higher altitudes in coastal Tuscany. Sangiovese is used for lift and acidity while Merlot contributes additional body and aromatic intensity. This wine sees roughly 6 months in gently used French oak before bottling. When you open this wine, I suggest decanting for up to half an hour before serving. Once this wine has some time to open up it delivers notes of dried blackcurrant, black plum, red cherry pit, fresh rosemary, and earth. Drink 2025-2031 with gnocchi and tomato sauce, homemade bruschetta, or chicken sausages with spinach and feta.