Castell`in Chianti Classico

$49.99

Estate grown in Castelnuovo Berardenga in alluvial soil with limestone, clay, and sand; 100% Sangiovese from the best vineyards on the property. The wine is fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts, kept on the skins for a little more than two weeks, and aged in large oval barrels ('botti') for two to three years, depending on the vintage. The critic Antonio Galloni describes Castell'in Villa's wines as some of the most age-worthy in Italy, and although this Riserva drinks well at 5 years of age, it will easily go 20 or more. Outstanding Sangiovese, and one of the best wines in the Chianti Classico appellation. This and grilled rib-eye steak is heaven on earth.

Castell’in Villa is one of the most historic estates in Chianti Classico. Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa and her husband found the property in 1967 and purchased it the following year. Initially, Princess Coralia and her husband thought they would make wine for fun. Her father, a Greek aristocrat, demurred at the thought of his daughter becoming a peasant. At the time, there was just one hectare under vine, but planting began in earnest in 1968 following the suggestions the Chianti Classico Consorzio, which included the white grapes that ended up being used for the first vintages.

Poggio delle Rose was planted in 1990 with a clonal selection taken from Castell’in Villa’s original vineyards. The wine is aged exclusively in French oak barrels. A small amount was produced in 1994, but the first commercial release was the 1996.

The estate’s Santacroce is a Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend aged in French oak first produced in 1983. Although originally conceived as a pure French oak-aged Sangiovese meant to compete with the trendy wines of the day, Princess Coralia began using Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend beginning in 1988. The Cabernet was grafted onto exiting Canaiolo at the suggestion of famed oenologist Giacomo Tachis in the late 1970s. Princess Coralia met Tachis in 1977, the same year her father passed away. Tachis bought wines in bulk at Castell’in Villa for the early vintages of Antinori’s Tignanello. Although Tachis was never formally a consultant to Castell’in Villa, he advised Princess Coralia on a number of matters, including suggesting she uproot her Canaiolo and Colorino in favor of Sangiovese and later Cabernet Sauvignon. 

2009 ml

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