NEW Clemente VII "Settimo" Toscana IGT

Pairs with: Rosemary and garlic-crusted ribeye steak, braised beef short ribs over creamy polenta, wild boar ragù tossed with pappardelle, roasted leg of lamb, or a platter of aged Pecorino Toscano and hard cheeses.

Good for: Experiencing an accessible, barrique-aged Super Tuscan blend; elevating weekend steak dinners and slow-cooked braises; or introducing lovers of traditional Chianti to a plush, modern Tuscan red anchored in historic Medici terroir.

Grape: 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 25% Syrah.

I am from: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy (Sourced from select hillside vineyard plots across the Chianti Classico zone, planted in stony clay and limestone soils).

The Story: Created by Castelli del Grevepesa—a prestigious cooperative founded in 1965 in the heart of Chianti Classico—the Clemente VII flagship range pays homage to Pope Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici), whose historic family held winemaking lands across these exact Tuscan hills. Named "Settimo" (Italian for seventh), this Super Tuscan-style bottling marries Tuscany's signature native star, Sangiovese, with international partners Merlot and Syrah. The grapes are cultivated on high-altitude, sun-dappled slopes where cool evening mountain winds preserve vibrant natural acidity amidst warm daytime sun.

In the cellar, winemakers vinify each grape variety separately to capture its individual peak personality. Following temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the blend undergoes maturation in French oak barriques. This patient oak contact allows the dense, juicy dark fruit of the Merlot and Syrah to weave seamlessly into Sangiovese’s structured frame, softening the tannins while layering delicate wood spice, balsam herbs, and velvety depth into the finished wine.

Why You'll Love Me: It is a generous, texturally velvety, and richly layered red that balances dark berry radiance with subtle balsamic herbs and warm oak spice. In the glass, it pours a deep, brilliant ruby-red with dark garnet reflections. The nose is rich and refined, wafting out with an aromatic bouquet of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, and wild plums, beautifully accenting top notes of wild rose petals, sandalwood, cocoa, and dried Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it glides with a full-bodied, voluminous stride; a concentrated core of dark fruit is held by fine-grained, integrated tannins and an energetic beam of Tuscan acidity. Elegant, complex, and deeply satisfying, it sails into a long finish marked by trailing notes of tart cherry, sweet tobacco, and a persistent, stone-dust mineral snap.