2019 Castellare - Toscana Rosso IGT I Sodi di San Niccolo Super Tuscan (750ml)

Castellare di Castellina is a headline estate in Castellina in Chianti, known for a deep commitment to native Tuscan grape varieties even as many neighboring producers turned toward international blends. I Sodi di San Niccolò grew out of a collaboration between the estate and the University of Milan, with the goal of proving that a wine made entirely from indigenous grapes could compete with the best Super Tuscans on the market. Decades later, it remains one of the region's most celebrated bottlings, having appeared in Wine Spectator's Top 100 more than once.

The wine takes its name from the vineyard itself, a natural amphitheater with excellent sun exposure and well-draining limestone soils low in nitrogen, conditions that keep yields small but concentrate flavor in the fruit. Composed of roughly 85 percent Sangioveto, a local Sangiovese clone, and 15 percent Malvasia Nera, the two varieties are hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented separately in steel before an extended maceration. The finished wine then ages for about thirty months in barrique, split between new and once-used barrels, followed by further time resting in bottle.

The 2019 offers a deep, compelling core of black cherry and blackcurrant, layered with violet, wild rosemary, eucalyptus, and a mineral edge of iron. The palate is structured yet supple, framed by fine, silky tannins that lead to a long finish touched with blood orange and cedar. It pairs beautifully with grilled venison, aged pecorino, or a rich charcuterie board.