Tenuta Sette Ponti sits in the land of Sangiovese and Chianti, not far from the historic town of Arezzo. The estate received its name from Antonio F. Moretti, who wanted to pay homage to the so-called Road Sette Ponti (Seven Bridges), which connects the banks of the River Arno between Florence and Arezzo.

Tenuta Sette Ponti holds 330 hectares of land, of which more than 50 are planted with vineyards—tended entirely without mechanization. Included are Sangiovese, but also some great "internationals", such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and a small selection of other varieties. The soil composition has a heterogeneous structure, well combined between clay, sand, limestone, and typical Chianti stone Galestro.

The grapes undergo a “one by one” manual selection when they arrive in the cellars. An open vat fermentation is preferred along with a gentle pressing to get the best aroma from the grapes without bitterness or excessive drying.

Crognolo, the first label produced at Tenuta Sette Ponti, is an elegant wine named after a wild bush, Cornus, that grows abundantly on the estate. It is made predominantly from Sangiovese, a traditional Tuscan variety that produces elegant and age-worthy wines, with a small amount of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Crognolo unites the class of Sangiovese with the complexity bestowed by oak aging.

Intense ruby red color leads to a full bouquet of ripe cherry and berries, well blended with spicy notes that give class and complexity. It is full bodied, well balanced and vibrant on the palate, and has well rounded tannins and depth.

The 2021 Sette Ponti Crognolo Proprietary Red Wine, a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, originates from Tuscany, Italy. This wine exhibits a rich, garnet-purple hue and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. With an alcohol content of 14.5%, it promises a robust experience.

Decanter praises the Crognolo for its "dusty, perfumed aromas of spiced plum with sour and dried cherry," describing the palate as "vertical" and full of "fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity, and sapid fruit." The reviewer notes that it feels "poised and coiled," suggesting readiness to impress upon uncorking. Decanter awarded it a commendable score of 91 points.

James Suckling is particularly impressed, giving it a high score of 95 points. He highlights the "purity of fruit" with notes of "currants, orange peel, peaches, and lemon." Suckling describes the wine as "full-bodied yet compressed and agile," advising that it will evolve further with a couple of years of aging, suggesting a drinking window after 2026.

Wine Enthusiast's Danielle Callegari offers a detailed tasting note, awarding the wine 93 points. She describes "ultra fresh juicy cherries" with delicate floral aromas of "violets and rose petals." The palate is rich with cherries and berries, balanced by earthy notes of "soil, branches, and roots," concluding with a finish of "bitter cocoa and anise."

Wine Spectator also scores the wine at 91 points, noting that the young red "reveals all its components in the right place" but requires time to integrate fully. The flavors of "cherry, violet, earth, iron, and mint" are present, leading to a finish dominated by "serious tannins." The publication suggests the best drinking window is from 2025 through 2036.

The Wine Independent echoes the high praise with a score of 93 points. They describe the wine as "medium to deep garnet-purple in color" with aromas of "cherry compote, plum preserves, and unsmoked cigars." The palate is noted for its "savory accents to the black fruit flavors," supported by "chewy tannins and refreshing acidity," finishing with "great length."

Overall, the 2021 Sette Ponti Crognolo stands out for its complex flavor profile, vibrant fruit notes, and potential for aging. It has garnered excellent reviews, particularly from James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast, reflecting its quality and appeal.