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92 Robert Parker
The 2010 Cervaro della Sala (90% Chardonnay/10% Grechetto) is seriously beautiful in this vintage. A large-scaled, voluptuous wine, the 2010 emerges from the glass with an exotic melange of honey, tropical fruit, butter, lemon and sweet spices. Underlying veins of minerality frame the striking, oily finish. Although the 2010 is pretty today, I will not be surprised if the 2010 improves with further time in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. <br/><br/>Given the Antinori family’s rich heritage spanning 26 generations and a track record for making some of Italy’s most glamorous wines, it is easy to imagine that their Umbrian property, Castello della Sala, would be stately and elegant. Instead, the Castello reflects the values of an old-world, agrarian aristocracy that is more about tradition than flash. Those qualities come through in the wines as well. Over the last few years, the flagship Cervaro della Sala has become more elegant than ever, while the second wine, the Bramito del Cervo, is unfussy and beautiful. The estate’s sweet Muffato della Sala remains one of the most delicious wines in its category.<br/>
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Antinori - Castello della Sala
A short distance from the historic city of Orvieto, Castello della Sala towers its scenic landscape as Antinori’s only fully Umbrian estate. Spread across 500-hectares, the Antinori family uses 140-hectares of this pleasant property for the production of Chardonnay, in addition to several other indigenous and aromatic white varietals, Procanico and Grechetto, as well as a limited amounts of non-traditional varieties. Built in 1350, the aesthetic medieval fortress stands in the center of the historic, hillside Etruscan villages lying between the Paglia River and Mount Nibbio. The dynamism between the old and the new, which is ever-present in each of Antinori’s productions – holds true. Integration of both traditional and modern practices within the vineyards and cellars have produced five first-rate whites, and one pure, age-worthy Pinot Noir. It’s most famous wines are Cervaro della Sala – a vibrant yellow, crisp blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto – and its second wine, a pure Chardonnay – Bramito del Cervo.