Fabio Motta’s Pievi is from the Bolgheri Rosso DOC of Castagneto Carducci, on the warm Etruscan Coast, in Tuscany. The unique soil there is a mix of sedimentary clay and sand, very rich in iron. Fabio is the first in his family to be producing wine in the Bolgheri and purchased his first four hectares of vines in 2009 – these just so happened to be Le Pievi.

Fabio sees himself as a facilitator. As much as possible, the grapes are left to run their course and human intervention is only a small part of the process. The grapes in this blend are treated with the utmost care, harvested manually at each variety’s full ripening point, in small baskets. Fermentation takes place in 33hl oak barrels with natural yeasts only. The wine is then blended and placed in 3-year-old barriques for malolactic fermentation and to sit another 12 months before bottling, without fining or filtration.

This wine is predominantly Merlot, with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese that add complexity and freshness to the final blend, reflecting the unique quality of Bolgheri and its terroir. Elegant, aromatic and refreshing, with clean layers of red fruit, violet and vanilla, with rich velvety tannins and a lingering mineral finish. Try pairing this one with grilled meat, aged cheese or pasta and ragù.