Concentrated bramble aromas tease and tempt through to the round, effortless palate. Smooth acidity and subtle tannin support a richly intense mid-palate of caramelised fruit and velvet soft oak, ensuring a beautiful, texturally enriched structure. This truly is the wine that has it all!

Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini, La Historia di Italia, Tuscany, Italy 2012

Wine has been at the core of the Guicciardini family since the early 13th Century and this trophy winner is named in honour of the most famous of the clan, Francesco Guicciardini, who retired to the area in the 1500’s to write his epic tome ‘Historia d’ Italia’.

The estate extends over 265 ha, around half of which is under vine and 47ha devoted to olive trees (olive oil production consistently being a fundamental component of the Guicciardini’s work through the generations).

A creek divides the property, with the land on the left largely given over to IGT wines, while the right is devoted to Sangiovese and the production of Chianti Colli Fiorentini; the staple of Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini.

Being 100% Merlot this hails from the former and in the words of present keeper of the estate, Ferdinando Guicciardini, is a classic ‘Tuscan Merlot’. ‘Merlot is a charming grape,’ he says. ‘It’s strong and robust but also soft and pleasant at the same time. Structured, balanced and very long, this is a wine influenced by the character of our land.’

Aged in vat before spending a minimum of 12 months in French oak, output of La Historia is miniscule, totalling only 500 cases.