The Vignamaggio estate holds a place of profound historical and cultural significance within the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Located in Greve in Chianti, the villa dates back to the 14th century and is famously associated with the Gherardini family; tradition suggests that Lisa Gherardini, the subject of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, was born at the villa. The “Castello di Monna Lisa” Riserva serves as the estate’s flagship wine, produced only in exceptional years from the oldest and most prestigious vineyard parcels. By 1990, the estate was under the ownership of Gianni Nunziante, who initiated a period of rigorous quality improvement and technical modernization. This vintage represents a classic expression of the estate’s high-altitude Sangiovese, showcasing a balance of historical soul and the structured elegance that defined the “Super Tuscan” era of the late 20th century.

The 1990 growing season is widely hailed as one of the greatest vintages in the history of Tuscany, characterized by near-perfect conditions from bud break to harvest. A mild winter and a warm spring led to an early and uniform flowering, setting the stage for a bountiful crop. The summer was consistently hot and dry, but without the extreme heat spikes that can cause vine stress, allowing for a slow and steady accumulation of sugars and polyphenols. Gentle rains in late August provided the vines with a necessary refresh, followed by a dry, sunny September with cool nights that preserved essential acidity. At Vignamaggio, the Sangiovese was harvested under ideal skies, yielding fruit with incredible concentration, ripe tannins, and an aromatic depth that has allowed this 1990 Riserva to age with extraordinary grace and complexity.