Le Ragnaie Passo Del Lume Spento Toscana Rosso 2020

Le Ragnaie Passo del Lume Spento 2020, high-altitude Sangiovese

I'm picking this Toscana Rosso for one detail that changes how you read it: its Sangiovese comes from a plot perched at 621 meters, on the heights of Passo del Lume Spento. The 2020 vintage is aged in wood and produced from organic farming. Here, altitude is not a mere backdrop: it gives identity to a wine made under conditions different from those of vineyards lower down.

A mountain plot at Le Ragnaie

The Le Ragnaie estate spreads over more than 28 hectares in the Siena area. Riccardo Campinoti produces this wine under the IGP Rosso Toscana designation, from Sangiovese. Its plot lies along the climb of Passo del Lume Spento, a route of hills and vineyards appreciated by hikers and cyclists. It is also a singular growing site for this grape, subject to climatic conditions that vary with altitude.

The vines are farmed organically, with an approach focused on respecting the soils and the surrounding ecosystem. Vinification follows a traditional path: fermentation at controlled temperature in concrete tanks, followed by a 90-day maceration. The wine then spends 36 months in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak foudres. The marked contrast between day and night temperatures, the mineral-rich soils born of erosion, and the intensity of the sun all contribute to its mountain Sangiovese profile.

The available tasting information does not specify the color of the wine, nor any particular aromas, so I prefer not to invent any for you. It does, however, describe a wood-aged red with complexity, depth and elegance, with a character tied to its high-altitude landscape. Style indications place it on the spicy side rather than simply fruity, with a medium body and aging that is perceptible without sitting at the most woody end of the scale. These are reference points, not a list of guaranteed aromatic notes.

At the table, with robust flavors

I would serve it with a platter of cured meats or aged cheeses, pairings suggested for this wine and simple enough to let the Sangiovese keep its place. At the table, red meats and game are also good companions, especially if you want a more generous meal. The 36-month aging and the long maceration invite you to take your time: open the bottle for a dinner where you can linger, without trying to turn every sip into a demonstration. If you are curious about Tuscan reds shaped by altitude, this cuvée from Le Ragnaie offers a precise lead to explore.