Tenuta Degli Dei Le Redini Toscana IGT

Le Redini Toscana Rosso IGT from Tenuta degli Dei

A young Tuscan Merlot with Conca d´Oro in his blood

When in 2000 Tommaso Cavalli began to work in the wine-growing sector at Tenuta degli Dei, he brought star oenologist Carlo Ferrini on board for his project. Together with him they made the decision to plant exclusively international grape varieties. For this reason only Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot now grow on the five hectares of Tenuta degli Dei vineyards. The Cavalli family also owns a second vineyard near Florence, where grow only Alicante vines. However, these are also processed on the Tenuta degli Dei. Even though the first Cavalli wine was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, Le Redini was limited to a blend of 90 per cent Merlot and 10 per cent Alicante. Naturally, the grapes are harvested and selected by hand with the greatest care. Ten months in barrique and another six months in bottle. The result is a young wine from a rather unusual grape combination, which despite its youth shows very precise and harmonious caracter.

Tenuta degli Dei: the magnificent estate of Roberto and Tommaso Cavalli

Cavalli - this sounding name is actually known from the international glossy magazines and catwalks around the world. Roberto Cavalli - fashion designer and style icon - embodies this brand. However, in recent years the name Cavalli has stood for much more: for fast horses and liquid pleasures. When Roberto Cavalli bought the approximately 70 hectare property in the early 1970s in the tranquil district of San Leolino in Panzano in Chianti as a place of peace and relaxation, nobody could have guessed that his son Tommaso would make it one day a successful business. Tommaso, who has lived and worked with his family on the Tenuta degli Dei since 1989, started breeding trotting horses. These proud animals that race and win around the globe still have their homes at the property today. In recent years, Cavalli has also produced some high-alcohol drinks under the Cavalli label: grappa, vodka and gin have become an integral part of the Cavalli range. Recently a Peperoncino oil called Foho Fiorentino joined the range, which Tommaso’s brother-in-law produces according to his own recipe. And since the year 2000 Tommaso has also been officially active as a winegrower. The results of his work are impressive!

Cavalli red wines: Tuscany in the blood and the world in the roots

As already mentioned, in the vineyards of Tenuta degli Dei grow exclusively international grape varieties. The autochthonous grape variety Sangiovese will not be found here: and yet there is a Chianti Classico with the name Forcole in the range. Connoisseurs will immediately ask themselves how this is possible if no Sangiovese is actually cultivated and one of the quality criteria for a certified Chianti Classcio DOCG is 80 per cent Sangiovese part? The answer to the riddle is relatively simple: Tommaso has leased a vineyard with Sangiovese vines nearby. The first wine in the Cavalli range, however, was actually the Cavalli Toscana Rosso IGT vintage 2004 - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdo. This is followed by Le Redini IGT, which can be regarded as the youngster of the two IGTs due to its shorter time in barrel and bottle. Le Redini is also a Merlot and Alicante blend, with a clear focus on Merlot.