Castellare di Castellina, I Sodi di S. Niccolò, Tuscany, Italy 2011

“This is a landmark wine for Italy and for Castallare di Castellina. The 2011 I Sodi di S. Niccolò is made from mostly Sangioveto (Sangiovese) and a smaller part Malvasia Nera. Fruit is sourced from a historic vineyard that is characterized by a large presence of stones. This is a profound and elegant wine that is still very young in terms of its fruit profile and its tannins. It will require many more years to start its evolution. What it shows now is potential — lots of potential. Dark fruit nuances are mixed with delicate accents of spice, balsam herb and cola. Give this wine a few more years before opening it.”-95WA, 2017-2030

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.