Castellare I Sodi S. Niccolo 2014
- RP
- WS
- JS
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesDark, brooding, thick and profound, the 2014 I Sodi di S. Niccolò is one of those wines that pushes the quality limits of Sangiovese. The blend here is 85% Sangioveto (an antique name for Sangiovese) with 15% Malvasia Nera. The wine is aged in barrique for 30 months. The bouquet shows black fruit aromas with elaborate spice, toasted nut, cured leather, licorice and crushed stone or granite. The purity of those aromas is profound and impressive. What I appreciate most about this wine is that it delivers this rare level of quality in what was not an easy vintage. Some 27,000 bottles were made.
The Castellare estate is one of the best examples of tradition in the area. The winery’s owner, Paolo Panerai, has closely studied the world’s best wineries and applied this understanding and experience to viticulture in Italy. The Castellare property, located in Tuscany’s Castellina in Chianti, has become a virtual refuge for wildlife, including many of the birds pictured on their labels. With each vintage, the Castellare label shows a different bird, symbolizing the estate’s commitment to environmentally sound cultivation. The birds selected for the labels are among the rarest creatures in Chianti, and represent birds threatened by extinction, mostly due to synthetic chemical products and hunting, both of which are forbidden on this property. In the town of Castellina, one of Chianti’s best locales, Castellare’s vineyards are at 1200 feet elevation – only a few Chianti Classico vineyards are higher. The vineyards of this 46-acre property are found in a natural amphitheater in the heart of the Classico region. At Castellare, the yield-per-acre is very low, far lower than the maximum level allowed by Chianti Classico DOCG rules, which enhances the concentration of aromas and flavors.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.