Our Rating
Tuscany
Red Blend
Historically significant as the first Super Tuscan produced in Chianti Classico, Vigorello continues to evolve. The 2020 vintage showcases a distinctive blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot anchored by Pugnitello, an ancient Tuscan grape revived by the estate. This wine offers structure, savory depth, and proven aging potential.
Vigorello occupies a specific place in Italian wine history. Released in 1968, it was created to bypass restrictive regulations that mandated the use of white grapes in Chianti Classico. While the original bottling was 100% Sangiovese, the wine has transformed over the decades to reflect the estate’s research and viticultural shifts. Today, San Felice has removed Sangiovese from the blend entirely. Instead, they use the indigenous Pugnitello grape to provide the Tuscan identity alongside international French varietals. This decision distinguishes Vigorello from the myriad of Cabernet-Merlot blends in the region, offering a profile that is technically precise yet rooted in local heritage.
San Felice is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the southernmost commune of the Chianti Classico zone. While the property encompasses a luxury borgo and extensive olive groves, its reputation in the wine world rests on its status as a research hub. In the 1980s, the estate established the “Vitiarium,” an experimental vineyard dedicated to identifying and preserving indigenous grape varieties that were at risk of extinction. This commitment to biodiversity led to the genetic recovery of Pugnitello, which now plays a central role in their top-tier wines. The estate spans diverse soil types, including calcareous clay and sandstone, allowing for site-specific cultivation of both local and international vines.
Leonardo Bellaccini has managed winemaking at San Felice since 1984, providing nearly four decades of continuity. His approach combines technical rigor with a respect for historical preservation. Bellaccini was the driving force behind the study and eventual official recognition of the Pugnitello grape. His philosophy centers on using technology to enhance the expression of the territory rather than to mask it. Under his direction, the winery uses distinct fermentation protocols for each variety in the Vigorello blend, ensuring that the final assembly maintains the character of the individual components.
Look
The wine presents a concentrated ruby red core that extends to the rim. It is opaque and dense, with slow-moving tears that suggest a medium-to-full body and solid extract levels.
Smell
Aromas of dark fruit dominate the nose, specifically blackcurrant and crushed blackberry. As the wine breathes, complex secondary notes emerge. The Pugnitello contributes a savory, earthy quality reminiscent of leather and dried herbs, while the French oak provides integrated scents of cedar, tobacco leaf, and a hint of clove.
Taste
The palate is defined by a rigid but polished structure. Tannins are present and grippy, typical of the Cabernet and Pugnitello interaction, yet they are fine-grained rather than abrasive. There is a strong core of black fruit flavor, balanced by a streak of acidity that keeps the mouthfeel dynamic. Notes of graphite, iron, and dark chocolate linger on the finish. The wine creates a drying sensation at the end, indicating it will pair best with substantial food.
The 2020 Vigorello is a testament to San Felice’s ability to innovate within a historic framework. It delivers the power expected of a Super Tuscan but tempers it with the earthy, savory nuance of the Pugnitello grape. The structure is firm, and the acidity is lively, suggesting a long life ahead in the cellar. This is a serious, intellectual wine that prioritizes balance and complexity over immediate fruit sweetness.
Italy
Tuscany
Red Blend
13.5%
Leonardo Bellaccini
1 to 2 hours
Now to 2040
San Felice
