2022 Tenuta di Carleone “Il Guercio” Toscana
The name means “The One-Eyed Rascal,” a nod to Sean himself. This is the most experimental Sangiovese of the lineup.
Producer
Tenuta di Carleone
I have reviewed four wines from Tenuta di Carleone, from the 2021 to 2022 vintages, across Toscana and Chianti Classico. Most are Sangiovese. Scores range from 91 to 96, averaging 95; the highest is the 2022 Tenuta di Carleone “Il Guercio” Toscana (96 points). Tenuta di Carleone also features in one journal article on this site.
Tenuta di Carleone is the home of Sean O’Callaghan, “the Rogue of Radda,” formerly of Riecine. Some thirty years ago, after winemaking school in Germany, Sean set off across Italy on a motorcycle, landed in Chianti and never left. In 2012 he partnered with Karl and Kristine Egger, who had begun restoring the ruins of Castiglioni, a medieval estate with roots going back to 1078 that once belonged to the monks of Badia a Coltibuono. The project started in two garages; the team is now converting an old terracotta factory into its cellar.
The 20 hectares of vineyards in Radda in Chianti sit between oak forests, olive trees and streams at 450 to 750 metres, on alternating alberese and galestro. Each parcel is vinified separately, with native yeasts, heavy use of whole clusters, no fining or filtration, and a mix of concrete, stainless steel, large oak and amphora. Sean’s goal is bevibilità — that irresistible drinkability.
The Chianti Classico, from high vineyards, is lean, lifted and savory after a two-month maceration. Il Guercio, “the one-eyed rascal,” is the most experimental Sangiovese, foot-trodden whole clusters macerated for up to five months: vibrant, smoky and iron-edged. Uno, the estate’s best fruit aged in Austrian oak, is deeper and more powerful. Il Randagio, “the stray,” breaks from Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in steel — a joyful, easygoing wine.
Tenuta di Carleone: The New Frontier of Sangiovese in Radda
Sean O’Callaghan, after studying winemaking in Germany, settled in Chianti, Italy, in 1993. Partnering with Karl and Kristine Egger in 2012, they restored Castiglioni estate and now cultivate 20 hectares of vineyards focusing on Sangiovese. Their minimalist winemaking approach emphasizes drinkability and has led to innovative wines like Il Guercio and Il Randagio.
Tenuta di Carleone: The New Frontier of Sangiovese in Radda Read Post »
2022 Tenuta di Carleone “Il Randagio” Toscana
The name here means “The Stray” because the focus is no longer on Sangiovese but a blend of international grapes—more
2021 Tenuta di Carleone “Uno” Toscana
Here we have the same type of maceration and organic practices, but UNO represents the best fruit of the estate.
2021 Carleone Chianti Classico
Sourced from high-altitude vineyards and fermented in a mix of concrete and wood, this is a lean, lifted, and savory