Borgo Scopeto is an estate in Vagliagli, a locality (‘frazione’) in Castelnuovo Berardenga in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany.

Owner: In 1997 Borgo Scopeto was sold by the Bindella family to Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, her first wine estate purchase in Tuscany. In 1999 she acquired land in the Morellino di Scansano DOCG where she planted vines for what she named the Doga delle Clavule estate. She then bought two estates in Montalcino which neighbour each other, Caparzo in 2002 and Altesino in 2003.

Staff: Winemaker: Simone Giunti.

The estate: The Borgo Scopeto estate covers 503 hectares (1,243 acres) in Castelnuovo Berardenga of which buildings of the “Borgo” and other rural constructions cover 6 hectares and 350 hectares are woodland. There are around 70 hectares (173 acres) of vineyards and 50 hectares (123 acres) of olive trees. Of the 70ha vineyard, 40ha are Chianti Classico: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. 350-420 meters. South south-west exposure. The soil is typical of the Chianti Classico region: sandy, shingly, stony and like clay; prevalently clayey-marly rocky soil, with arenaceous elements bonded with limestone.

History: Scopeto is a fortified rural settlement dating from around 1000, when the estate and surrounding agricultural land belonged to the episcopacy of Siena. The name Scopeto almost certainly comes from the presence in the woods of Erica scoparia, a perennial evergreen flowering shrub whose twigs were attached to wooden poles to make besoms (brooms).

The square stone tower, used as a defensive watch tower, dates back to 1200 and originally stood alongside other fortified structures. In the early fourteenth century, the Sozzini family, an old and illustrious Sienese dynasty, obtained the property from the Church, and it remained in their possession for more than five centuries. During this time, the farm became a flourishing agricultural centre and was soon converted to vine-growing for wine and, at the same time, it became a meeting-place for humanists, artists and writers.

The Sozzini family was interested in theological studies, gave hospitality to dissident men of religion and for a long period even had to counter accusations of heresy by the curia of Siena. The property grew in size and importance. The fortified buildings gave way to a large country-seat, to which were added the farmers’ and peasants’ dwellings, forming the structural lay-out existing today. The Sozzini family, which kept the property until the mid-nineteenth century, developed a wine production of a certain importance but only in more recent times did Borgo Scopeto improve the quality and begin to bottle its own wines. It was with the 1990 vintage that a Chianti Classico with the ‘Borgo Scopeto’ label first appeared on the market.

Red wines

Chianti Classico DOCG, Borgo Scopeto: 2009 Simple smoothish red, bit of green, bit of must concentrate, clean and boring at Armando and Emanuela’s in Torrenieri New Year’s Eve 2013. | 2015 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Colorino. | 2019 90 Sangiovese, 5% each Merlot and Colorino. 170,000 bottles.

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Borgo Scopeto: 1999 Bottled.

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Vigna Misciano: From Vigna Misciano. 400 meters. South-south-east. Stony-clay soil. Sangiovese (90%), Syrah and Canaiolo (10%). 1999 Bottled. | 2008 100% Sangiovese. Wild fruit, blackberries and dusty plums, some acetone, a little bit dry on the palate (No medal, DWWA 2013). | 2013 100% Sangiovese. | 2018 100% Sangiovese. 20,000 bottles.

Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Borgo Scoperto: 2015 100% Sangiovese. | 2016 100% Sangiovese. 7,000 bottles.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Borgonero: 2010 70% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. £8-14.99. Rich, smoky, savoury and warm nose, almost baked, dry palate too, dense red, but trying a bit too hard (No medal, DWWA 2013). | 2018 40% Sangiovese, 20% each of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon. 20,000 bottles.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC, Borgo Scoperto: 2010 60% Trebbiano Toscano, 40% Malvasia Bianca Lunga Toscana. Sweet, soft-centred (2020 Anteprima).

Accommodation: The “Borgo” comprises noble residences with elegant gardens and numerous buildings once used for crafts and rural work. All the buildings forming the old town centre of the village have been restored and include a high-quality level hotel structure, the Relais (www.BorgoScopetoRelais.com), which opened in 2005.

Contact

Borgo Scopeto

Fraz Vagliagli

53010 Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577.848390 | Website: www.borgoscopeto.com