Red Wine Castellare di Castellina Sodi Di San Niccolo 2018. Decant for 2 hours. A beautiful ruby red in colour, the nose gives ripe cherries, red currant, hints of leather, tobacco and vanilla. The palate reveals ripe cherries, blackcurrants, sweet spices and a hint of tobacco. This full bodied wine has high acidity with medium to high levels of well integrated tannins. The finish is long and lingering and ends on a subtle note of vanilla. A fantastic match for steak, lamb, tomato sauces and cheese. The hand harvested grapes are vinified in steel vats for between 18 and 25 days prior to being aged in new oak for between 15 and 30 months. There is a further 12 months in bottle prior to release. No herbicides, pesticides or chemicals of any nature are used in Castellarre’s wines which makes them even more desirable. The wine has twice been in Wine Spectators Top 100 which is proof that Sangiovese vines can compete with the best the world has to offer. I Sodi di San Niccolò was developed in the 80s with an aim of creating wines that would compete with the Super Tuscans” and show that native fruit can produce wine with the finesse and power to compete – they certainly managed that!. The name of the wine comes from the term I Sodi” which means that the grapes are difficult to harvest (hence the need for hand harvesting), combined with the name of a church on the property, San Niccolo, which is no longer in use.
2018
Red Wine Castellare di Castellina Sodi Di San Niccolo 2018
Red Wine Castello di Ama Il Chiuso Pinot Nero 2018. Set in the heart of Chianti Classico near the pretty town of Gaiole, Castello di Ama is recognised as one of Italy’s leading producers thanks to their pioneering work with the Merlot grape variety in the 1980s. Their iconic 100% Merlot L’Apparita actually beat both Pétrus and Le Pin at a blind tasting in 1987 organised by the Académie du Vin in Switzerland, putting Italy on the map for world-class Merlot wines. The estate has also led the way in experimenting with other varieties, planting Morey Saint Denis clones of Pinot Noir on their Il Chuso farm in 1984. The vines are planted on chalky soils at 500 metres above sea level, helping to produce an elegant and refined style of Pinot. The fruit is fermented using indigenous yeasts found naturally on the skins of the grapes and the young wine is then matured in oak barrels for 12 months before release. Bright red cherry, plum and fresh raspberries dominate the nose while the palate offers a medium body, fine tannins and a pure and clean finish with plenty of mouthwatering freshness. The refined flavour profile makes it a great match for a wide range of dishes including tomato-based pasta dishes, roast duck, and charcuterie.
2018
Red Wine Castello di Neive Barbaresco 2018. The fairytale medieval village of Neive is set in the heart of the Langhe region and is surrounded by verdant rolling hills planted with vines. The winery is located in the village’s 18th century castle and has been owned by the Stupino family since 1964. As well as 26 hectares of vines, the family also tend to 20 hectares of hazelnuts on the property. This is their classic Barbaresco red which really showcases the beauty and power of the Nebbiolo grape. As is traditional in the region, the wine is only made from estate-grown fruit and it spends 12 months maturing in large oak casks until it is ready for bottling. This helps to add subtle oak influence while allowing Nebbiolo’s famously high tannins to soften. In the glass there’s the typical light ruby red hue of the Nebbiolo along with enticing aromas of wild red berries, dried violets, toasted oak, and hints of spice. The first sip reveals a robust full body, firm tannins, and a well-developed structure with Barbaresco’s characteristic bright streak of acidity coming through on the finish. A great Italian red to pair with tomato-based pastas, braised read meats, and mature cheeses like Pecorino or Manchego.
2018