Il Muro Spigallo Chianti DOCG

Il Muro Spigallo Chianti DOCG is a Sangiovese-based red from Tuscany's Chianti heartland, made by Fattoria Il Muro on galestro-rich hillside vineyards near the Alpe di Poti. The galestro subsoil—fractured shale that defines much of the best Chianti country—forces deep root systems and concentrated fruit, while steep day-to-night temperature swings during the growing season preserve acidity and lock in flavor. The name Spigallo comes from the estate's historic family crest: a rooster pecking wheat, gallo and spiga in Italian, which the Pancaro family adopted when they relaunched the estate's image in 2011. Fattoria Il Muro has been in the Pancaro family for two centuries, dedicated to viticulture on slopes that descend gently toward the Castro stream valley. The proximity to the Alpe di Poti creates a microclimate with sharp diurnal shifts that allow Sangiovese to develop structure and perfume without losing freshness. The family farms with minimal intervention, relying on the natural health of the vineyard rather than synthetic inputs. Galestro soils drain quickly and stress the vines just enough to yield smaller, more aromatic berries, a hallmark of hillside Chianti that shows in the glass. The nose opens with red roses, black currant, and blueberry, classic markers of Sangiovese grown in cool hillside sites. On the palate the wine is fresh and fruity, with lively, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity that keep the structure substantial but never coarse. This is the kind of Chianti that wants food: grilled sausages, pasta al ragù, anything with tomato and olive oil. It's versatile enough for a weeknight but has the backbone to stand up to richer dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina or aged pecorino. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.