Chiara Condello has the Italian wine world buzzing, and rightfully so. Emilia-Romagna has long been overlooked in discussions of top-tier Sangiovese, despite its historical significance as the varietal’s birthplace. Condello’s work has single-handedly put Predappio on the map, proving that finesse and purity can outshine sheer power.
We’ve been ardent supporters of Condello’s entry-level Sangiovese for years—it offers remarkable elegance at an accessible price. But today, select SommSelect members have the chance to secure the highly allocated “Le Lucciole” Riserva. Calling this wine "gorgeous" is an understatement. It belongs on your mantle alongside Tuscany’s finest, yet it sidesteps the trend of ultra-concentrated, oak-heavy bottlings. Instead, it’s all about finesse and energy—think Montevertine’s “Le Pergole Torte” at a fraction of the price.
The buzz surrounding “Le Lucciole” is well-earned. Critics have raved, Italian wine experts are talking, and its origins in Predappio—a hilltop village southeast of Bologna—add to its intrigue. Condello farms her own vineyards organically, working with soils that mirror those found in Chianti while also highlighting spungone, a porous limestone marl unique to the region.
Expect a refined woodsy savor, a juicy black cherry core, and layers of dried orange peel, violets, tomato leaf, black pepper, and underbrush. Medium-plus in body, its fine-grained tannins and plush texture elevate it into collector territory.
Accolades: 94 Points, Vinous Media:
" ... blossoms in the glass with a gorgeous mix of dried flowers, wet stones, crushed violet candies and wild blueberries. Seamless and creamy in feel yet graceful and finessed, this washes across the palate with a pretty blend of ripe red and blue fruits as an air of lavender and licorice resonates toward the close. The 2021 finished with a coating of sweet tannins that provides a lovely framework without slowing its momentum. This is such a pretty rendition of Le Lucciole that is already drinking exceptionally well." - Eric Guido, May 2025
