I Fabbri Lamole Chianti Classico 2018
The Wine
Back in the Euro summer of 2011 our Family were taking a seat at Ristoro di Lamole, in the heart of Chianti Classico. Lamole Village sits on the side of a steep hill across from Panzano, where we were staying at the time. It was coming on sunset, the church bells were chiming and the world was sublime as we tucked into a Tagliata di Manzo and a bottle of Lamole rosso, gazing over the Tuscan hills back to Panzano.
Fast forward to 2021 and I find myself at 12pm sitting bar side having a glass of Lamole at Continental Deli Newtown. The first sip was sublime and instantly hit me with flashbacks to that hilltop town. The wine in question was the I Fabbri Chianti Classico (Lamole) 2018 produced by sisters Susanna and Maddalena Grassi.
It’s 90% Sangiovese grosso from Lamole, 10% Canaiolo old vineyards cultivated at 550 mts. The Grassi estate (called Casole) has been in the family’s hands for over 400 years. In addition to making wine, the Grassi’s were also local blacksmiths in the ancient village of Lamole. The Grassi’s grandfather was the first to commercially sell the family’s wine during the 1920s, however, the property fell into an abandoned state by the mid-20th century. By the year 2000, the sisters returned to I Fabbri with the mission to reignite its viticultural flame.
The Details
Variety - Sangiovese
Country - Italy
Region - Chianti Classico
Sub Region - Lamole
Extra - Cork
Year - 2018
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Today, Susanna and Maddalena produce site-specific wines from the family’s nine hectares of vines in Lamole. Most of their land is dedicated to Sangiovese, with small plots of Canaiolo and Merlot smattered in.
All of their land is farmed organically and biodynamic principles are incorporated. Lamole is often referred to as the ‘roof’ of Chianti, as its growing sites are situated at altitudes of 500+ meters above sea level.
Susanna and Maddalena are proud to be two of the few women winemakers pioneering the exquisite vineyard sites of Chianti.