Galileo Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese Riserva DOC – 2021

Galileo Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese Riserva DOC 2021, the estate's mature red

The Galileo Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese Riserva DOC 2021 from Azienda Guerrieri is the winery's top mature wine, aged for two years in concrete vats and wooden barrels. Black cherry, plum, tobacco, and spices – a wine for a long evening, not a quick sip.

Galileo Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese Riserva DOC 2021 from Azienda Guerrieri is the estate’s top-tier mature wine, crafted from old Sangiovese vines with a small addition of Montepulciano. Dark fruit, tobacco, spices, and a long, complex finish – a wine that deserves time in the glass and at the table.

Old vines, long maceration, two years in barrel

The Sangiovese grapes for the Galileo come from 20 to 30-year-old vines, significantly older than those used for the young Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese. They are harvested by hand in the second half of September, followed by 15 days of maceration on the skins before fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks – a week longer than for the estate's standard Sangiovese.

After fermentation, the Galileo is aged for twelve months in concrete vats and another twelve months in large Italian wooden barrels, as Alberto Guerrieri explains, before it is even bottled. This two-year maturation gives it a depth that the young Colli Pesaresi intentionally does not pursue.

The result is a wine with significantly more structure: bolder tannins, greater concentration, and a long, spicy finish with fine wood notes from the barrel aging.

Black cherry, tobacco, a long finish

On the palate, the Galileo proves spicy, robust, and multi-layered, with notes of black cherry, plum, and wild berries, accompanied by violets, spices, and a hint of tobacco from the barrel. The tannins are present but well-integrated, with a finish that lingers on the palate.

The Galileo displays its full power alongside braised beef, game dishes like venison or wild boar, or a long-aged Pecorino, and you will immediately notice the difference compared to the young Sangiovese in the glass. It also finds its place with a festive roast in a dark sauce, where the young Sangiovese would quickly seem too thin.

From the same assortment, it pairs well with a plate of Spaghetti n.7 made from Senatore Cappelli with game ragù, topped with a drizzle of Guerrieri VERDE olive oil.

The Riserva of a family that values patience

The Guerrieri family has been managing their estate on the Metauro since around 1800, now in the 6th generation under Luca Guerrieri and his children, Alberto and Maria Giulia. Of the 207 hectares, 48 are dedicated to vines, managed sustainably since 2004 without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

While the young Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese is meant for quick enjoyment, the Galileo requires patience – from the vine to the two years of barrel aging and finally opening the bottle, several years pass before you experience its full potential in the glass.

Those looking to try the young counterpart can also find the Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese DOC without barrel aging from the same estate in the Azienda Guerrieri wine collection.

a red wine and its values

• Origin Italy
• Growing region Marche
• Appellation Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese Riserva DOC
• Winery Azienda Guerrieri
• Vintage 2021
• Grape variety 90% Sangiovese, 10% Montepulciano
• 14% vol. alcohol
• 6.5 g/l acidity
• 3.2 g/l residual sugar