San Fabiano Calcinaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2009 (37.5cl, 17%)

This is a 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOCG from San Fabiano Calcinaia, a sweet Tuscan dessert wine in a 37.5cl bottle. It comes from hillside vineyards in Poggibonsi and Castellina. The grapes are air-dried for several months to concentrate their sugars and flavours, then aged for a long period in small sealed barrels called caratelli. Slow oxidation in these barrels gives the wine its nutty, developed character, and fresh acidity keeps the sweetness in balance. On the nose there are honeyed dried fruits, fig and apricot with walnut, toasted almond and a touch of tobacco. The palate is rich yet lifted, with caramelised orchard fruit, raisin and nutty notes. The finish is long and warming, with hazelnut and gentle spice.