95 Da Robert Parker
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. <br/><br/>I was lucky to visit Castellare di Castellina on what may be the best day of the year to come to this estate at the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. The afternoon I came, Trebbiano grapes had just been harvested to make Vin Santo del Chianti Classico. Each cluster was harvested with its wooden stem still intact. This way, the clusters are attached to metal hooks for the long drying process that will concentrate the sugars and aromatic intensity. A group of young workers labored furiously to hang all the grapes in what looked like massive curtains of grapes from wooden rafters. It was a beautiful site. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai presented his new vintages and added a few older wines to my flights. It is my pleasure to produce those notes here.<br/>
95 Da James Suckling
This red shows incredible depth and richness of fruit and terroir. Full body with dense, tight tannins. Complex flavors of toasted oak, walnut, wet earth and fruit. Better in 2017.
18 Da Rene Gabriel
Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera. Mitteldunkles Weinrot, viel Granatreflexe. Intensives Fruchtbouquet, Redcurrantpastillen, Wild- und Griottes-Kirschen, ein Hauch Rosenpfeffer, gebündelt und konzentriert. Im Gaumen bleibt diese kirschige Note und wirkt leicht kompottig, zusammen mit der initialen Säure ergibt dies ein Sweet-Sour-Spiel, noch fein körnig, intensiver Nachklang. Ein 2011er mit Druck und einer gesunden Arroganz. Die volle Reife ist in etwa 7 Jahren zu erwarten. 18/20 2019 – 2028
94 Da Wine Spectator
Dense, yet lively and focused, revealing black cherry, plum, spice and licorice flavors. Balanced and long, but needs time for all the components to emerge. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2017 through 2028. 1,745 cases made. –BS
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. <br/><br/>I was lucky to visit Castellare di Castellina on what may be the best day of the year to come to this estate at the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. The afternoon I came, Trebbiano grapes had just been harvested to make Vin Santo del Chianti Classico. Each cluster was harvested with its wooden stem still intact. This way, the clusters are attached to metal hooks for the long drying process that will concentrate the sugars and aromatic intensity. A group of young workers labored furiously to hang all the grapes in what looked like massive curtains of grapes from wooden rafters. It was a beautiful site. Winemaker Alessandro Cellai presented his new vintages and added a few older wines to my flights. It is my pleasure to produce those notes here.<br/>
