Azienda Agricola Podere Il Balzo is an organic estate in Rùfina in the Sieve valley region of Tuscany in Italy. It produces Chianti Rùfina DOCG red wines.
Owner: Paolo Ponticelli (+39 347 189 1311).
Background: In the late 1960s, Ugo Ponticelli – Paolo’s grandfather – bought a house with a piece of land in the “Poggiolo” estate in the heart of the Chianti Rufina DOCG production area along the Sieve valley. This is where the first vineyard of the Ponticelli family was planted. In 2006 Podere Il Balzo made its first wine and in 2011 the 100% Sangiovese Riserva made its debut.
Staff: Federico Giuntini from Fattoria Selvapiana and Franco Bernabei consult on winemaking.
Vineyards: 30 hectares of land on the farm. Of this 7ha are vineyards and 3ha are olive groves. The rest is pasture, arable land and forest. The vineyards lie at an altitude of about 300/400 metres. The soil, mainly clay, calcareous and with a large percentage of rocks and stones, is ideal for the growth of the vine and its proper drainage. The vineyards have almost all been replanted from 1999, at an average of 4,800 plants per hectare.
Organic certification: Conversion to organic farming began in 2016.
Winemaking: Harvest: October, hand selected grapes. Reds: 20 days of maceration on the skins with three daily pump overs. Fermentation in steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Aging: in cement and barriques for a period of about 18 months.
White wines
IGT Toscano Bianco Pettinaringhe: 2018 Debut. 60% Vermentino, 20% Trebbiano Toscano , 20% Malvasia bianca. Soft pressing, fermentation in cement. 12.5% alc. 1,000 bottles.
Red wines
IGT Toscano Rosso Addiaccio: About 20 days of maceration on the skins with three daily pump overs. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at controlled temperatures. Aging: in 5 hl tonneaux and cement. Production: about 3,000 bottles, only in the best years. | 2015 Bottled.
Chianti Rùfina DOCG Podere Il Balzo: 2006 Debut. 100% Sangiovese. | 2011 Bottled. | 2014 Bottled. | 2018 13.5% alc. L0519. A really well crafted Rufina with clear aromas and flavours of dark red fruit. The palate is well weighted, with smooth tannins and clear, bright fruit expression. Its well focussed lightly crunchy core gives a mouthwatering touch. Very enjoyable (July 2021). Drink 2021-2035.
Chianti Rùfina DOCG Riserva Podere Il Balzo: 2011 Debut. 100% Sangiovese. Aging: 24 months in 25hl oak barrels. About 5,000 bottles, only in the best years after a careful selection of the best Sangiovese grapes. | 2012 Bottled. | 2017 14% alc. L0121. A well put together medium weight Rufina whose delicate red fruit carried plenty of tanginess and a touch of volatility (19 Sept 2021).
Contact
Il Balzo
Via del Poggiolo, 12
50068 Rùfina (FI), Italy
Tel+39 055 8397556 | Website: www.ilbalzo.it