Lornano Commendator Enrico IGT Toscana
Full-bodied Red Wine. Produced in a Super Tuscan style that emphasizes depth, structure, and fruit concentration through a blend of indigenous and international grapes. · Fattoria Lornano. This family-owned estate, located in the heart of Chianti Classico, has been in the Pozzoli family since 1904. It is a highly respected boutique producer known for combining traditional Tuscan winemaking with modern precision, emphasizing the unique expression of their estate-grown fruit.
Vintage: Recent vintages (such as 2015-2019) have been consistently high-quality for Central Tuscany. The growing seasons typically feature warm summers and cool nights, allowing for optimal phenolic ripeness and balanced acidity. Check the back label for the specific year as it is not visible on the main historical front label.
Type
Full-bodied Red Wine. Produced in a Super Tuscan style that emphasizes depth, structure, and fruit concentration through a blend of indigenous and international grapes.
Producer
Fattoria Lornano. This family-owned estate, located in the heart of Chianti Classico, has been in the Pozzoli family since 1904. It is a highly respected boutique producer known for combining traditional Tuscan winemaking with modern precision, emphasizing the unique expression of their estate-grown fruit.
Country
Italy. One of the world's most significant wine producers with a history dating back to the Etruscans and Romans. Italy's classification system (DOCG, DOC, IGT) reflects a deep commitment to terroir, with Tuscany being the premier region for high-quality red wines.
Vintage
Recent vintages (such as 2015-2019) have been consistently high-quality for Central Tuscany. The growing seasons typically feature warm summers and cool nights, allowing for optimal phenolic ripeness and balanced acidity. Check the back label for the specific year as it is not visible on the main historical front label.
Region & Appellation
Toscana IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica). While the estate is in the Chianti Classico zone (Monteriggioni), this specific blend is classified as IGT to allow the flexibility of combining Sangiovese with international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in a 'Super Tuscan' style.
Grape Varieties
A blend of Sangiovese (typically 50%), Merlot (25%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%). The Sangiovese provides high acidity and cherry fruit, while the Merlot adds soft texture and plum notes, and the Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, tannin, and dark fruit complexity.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby red with violet reflections in its youth, evolving toward a concentrated garnet with age. The wine shows significant viscosity (legs) on the glass, indicating high extract and alcohol concentration.
Aroma Profile
Intense and complex nose featuring primary aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and plum. Secondary notes include vanilla and toasted oak from barrel aging, with tertiary development of leather, tobacco, and mediterranean scrub (macchia).
Tasting Notes
The palate is rich and expansive, opening with succulent dark fruits. The mid-palate shows great density and savory complexity. The finish is long and persistent, marked by a sophisticated interplay of fruit and oak spice, finishing with a classic Tuscan dusty mineral note.
Flavor Profile
Layers of black currant, dark chocolate, and licorice. There are underlying hints of dried herbs, espresso bean, and a specific balsamic character typical of high-quality Tuscan reds.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, rich texture. The mouthfeel is opulent and dense but maintains enough agility to avoid being heavy, thanks to the inherent acidity of the Sangiovese component.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity provides freshness and aging potential. The tannins are firm and structured but fine-grained and well-integrated, especially after a few years of bottle age or decanting.
Sweetness Level
Dry (Secco). Residual sugar is very low, typically under 2 g/L, with the perception of sweetness coming from ripe fruit and high-quality oak influence.
Alcohol Content
Generally between 14.5% and 15% ABV. The alcohol is well-integrated into the massive structure of the wine, providing warmth without a 'hot' sensation on the finish.
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 20 months in French oak barriques (small 225L barrels), followed by additional refinement in the bottle for 6 to 12 months before commercial release.
Food Pairings
Excellent with hearty proteins: Grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roasted lamb with rosemary, wild boar ragu, or aged cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 18°C (64°F) in a large Bordeaux-style glass. Decanting for 1-2 hours is highly recommended for younger vintages to allow the aromas to open and the tannins to soften.
Price Range
Typically retails between $35 and $55 USD. It represents excellent value compared to more famous Super Tuscans that often fetch triple the price for similar quality levels.
Quality Assessment
91-94 points. This is a super-premium tier wine that consistently wins awards and high marks from critics like James Suckling and Antonio Galloni.
Production Methods
Hand-picked grapes with rigorous selection. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel with long maceration on the skins (up to 20 days) to extract maximum color and structure. Malolactic fermentation is completed in oak.
Terroir
The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 300-350 meters on hillsides with limestone and clay soils (Albarese and Galestro), which are ideal for producing concentrated but elegant red wines.
History & Heritage
Named after Enrico Taddei, who purchased the estate in 1904. The label tells the story of Enrico, a proud 'bourgeois' who refused a noble title in the 1930s, preferring to be 'one of the first of the bourgeois rather than the last of the nobles.'
Interesting Facts
The wine is a tribute to the estate's founder and the signature featured on the label is Enrico's actual historical signature. Lornano is a charter member of the 'Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico' (founded 1924).
Cellaring Potential
Excellent aging potential. Peak drinking is usually between 5 and 15 years after the vintage, though it can easily hold for 20 years in optimal cellar conditions.
Similar Wines
Tignanello, Guado al Tasso, or Fontodi Flaccianello (though the latter is 100% Sangiovese). It appeals to lovers of Napa Valley Cabernet or Bordeaux Right Bank blends who want an Italian 'twist'.