Vin Santo Farnito – 50cl bottle

Carpineto was founded in 1967 by Antonio Zaccheo and Giovanni Sacchet and farms 424 hectares of land spread over four estates among Tuscany's most prestigious appellations. The wines include: Dogajolo, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile, Farnito and the Appodiati Single Vineyard Collection, complemented by single grove olive oils.

Carpineto has been named IWSC Italian Wine Producer Of The Year in 2003 and was the first ever Italian winery ever to win the IWSC International Winemaker Of The Year Trophy in 1994.

Antonio Zaccheo is now aided by his son Antonio and daughter, Francesca who both previously worked in the wine trade in the USA. Giovanni Sacchet's daughter, Caterina, is studying to become a wine maker.

The Carpineto wine making style produces wines that are full-bodied, complex and fruity in character, with a round, supple tannin structure and a long, persistent finish.

The Farnito range of wines comes from the Gaville estate, near Florence, which is located on an old Etruscan settlement overlooking the Arno valley where the farmhouse dates back to the 13th century and Chianciano/Montepulciano near Siena. The range is made from international varieties which are not native to Tuscany but which have been selected by Carpineto as being suited to the terroir and climate of the region in order to produce top quality wines. The wines are made from grapes which have been meticulously selected and carefully vinified and then aged in barrique; truly world class. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from 2 small vineyards and is aged in oak barriques for 12 months, resulting in a wine with wonderful depth and concentration, and with long ageing potential. The beautifully packaged Vin Santo from this estate is full of honied but balanced sweetness with a wonderful long and lingering aftertaste. The ideal wine to accompany rich desserts.

Grapes: 60% Trebbiano Toscano and 40% Malvasia

Vinification: The harvested grapes are dried in wooden boxes then slowly barrel fermented during the winter months

Ageing: Part of the wine was aged in traditional "caratelli", small barrels made of chestnut, the other part was aged in oak barrels, all for a total of 14 years. These barrels were housed in Carpineto's various cellars. The wine was then bottled and left to rest in a temperature controlled underground cellar

Colour: Golden yellow with bronze hues.

Serve: At 5-7C as an aperitif, or at 16C with desserts, and strong cheese such as Pecorino and Gorgonzola. Also excellent by itself as a "meditation" wine.

Taste: Lovely balance between the complex, intense balsamic fragrances, alcohol and sweetness. Full of toffee and peach flavour together with walnuts, this wine is concentrated, long and persistent on the finish.