'Le Papesse di Papiano' 2021
Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore
Villa Papiano
Modigliana, Emilia - Romagna, Italy

I want to let you in on a secret, NOT ALL sangiovese has to come from Tuscany to be great! The Italians know this and while they love their Tuscan wines, Sangiovese is the most planted grape in the country and is made impeccably well in many other places and terroirs. Sangiovese is also not nearly as expensive in other terroirs as it is in Chianti or Montalcino. The next best terroir outside Tuscany is probably Modigliana in Romagna that makes Sangiovese wines as good or better than many a Chianti, especially in the very capable and talented hands of Romagna expert Francesco Bordini. In fact, before Mussolini changed it in the 1920s, Modigliana WAS part of Tuscany.

Our tasting note: A medium hued ruby red core with slightly lighter edges. The nose is med+ with very pretty lift of red cherry and raspberry, violet florals, subtle notes of licorice, mint, balsamic, and cinnamon add nice complexity. On the palate this is medium bodied, with med+ mouthwatering acidity, and fine grain, elegant tannins, very nice persistence and elegance. A lot of flavor density but very light on its feet. Finishes long with the fruit, spice and minerality in harmony.

• 95% Sangiovese, *5% Balsamina and Negretto
• From a single vineyard planted in 1980 and 2001
• Soil: sandy, sandstone-derived soils, 500-570m ASL
• Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, in temp-controlled stainless steels vats; maceration with skins: 18/24 days
• 6 months aging in concrete, 12 months in bottle

The People & the Famous Connection
Ironically, it is made by the son of one of our favorite enologists in Italy, Francesco Bordini, son of Dr. Remigio Bordini. Remigio is considered one Italy's most important and historical enologists, as well as one of the foremost experts on the Sangiovese grape. Francesco is a consultant winemaker for 15 estates in this appellation alone: he’s acknowledged as the foremost expert of Romagna’s wines. Also, IF you know CABERLOT, it was Remegio Bordini who found and cultivated the grape and was responsible for consulting with il Carnasciale to plant it.

The Place
Villa Papiano is a special place: a beautiful and breathtaking setting to tend vines and make wine. At 1,900 feet of altitude, Villa Papiano is nestled amid the pristine, densely forested hills of Modigliana (Romagna). They farm organically and the vines are planted in marl and ancient sandstone soils. The results are nothing short of spectacular for traditional red wine lovers of Sangiovese based wines: fresh, lifted red to dark red fruit flavors, some savory and spice nuances, while some balsamic notes are also usually at play, with a consistent brightness and juiciness to the wines. Francesco Bordini lives and breathes sangiovese, kind of like his dad he is the ideal vigneron: he has an intimate knowledge of each grape variety and his terroirs, with a profound respect for the environment that is reflected in his Sangioveses wines: vertical, vibrant, precise and long-lived."WE HAVE BEEN FARMING ORGANICALLY SINCE 2000
AND WITH BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE SINCE 2018.
WE HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED ORGANIC SINCE 2009
WITH SUOLO E SALUTE AND BIODYNAMIC WITH DEMETER SINCE 2023

Being artisan winegrowers at Villa Papiano means for us: ceaselessly observing; paying attention to every detail; learning from experience; living in symbiosis with our environment; absorbing what has been handed down to us by those who preceded us; being aware that every growing year is different; doing our own work without being unfaithful to nature." - Villa Papiano