2022 Castellare - Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale (750ml)

Castellare di Castellina came together in the 1970s when publisher and entrepreneur Paolo Panerai united four historic properties, Castellare, Caselle, San Niccolò, and Le Case, into a single estate near the town of Castellina in Chianti. From the start, Panerai committed to working only with indigenous Tuscan grape varieties, and under longtime winemaker Alessandro Cellai the estate has become known for wines that favor precision and native character over international polish. Each vintage's label carries an illustration of a different rare bird found on the property, a nod to the estate's focus on biodiversity.

Il Poggiale is Castellare's single-vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva, sourced from a plot with calcareous soil sitting between 350 and 400 meters above sea level. The grapes, mainly Sangiovese with small amounts of Canaiolo and Colorino, are picked after mid-October, fermented in steel, and pass through full malolactic fermentation. The wine then ages in barrique, a fifth of them new, for twelve to eighteen months, followed by another year resting in bottle before release.

The 2022 shows a vivid, intense ruby color, with floral violet and cherry aromas lifted by a mineral edge. The palate opens fresh and savory, closing with fragrant, fruit-forward notes on the finish. It complements wild hare ragù, roasted quail, or a plate of aged Tuscan cheese.