2020 Castell'in Villa - Chianti Classico DOCG (750ml)

Castell'in Villa is a historic estate perched above Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern reaches of the Chianti Classico zone. Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa and her husband acquired the property in 1968, when only a single hectare of vines surrounded the thirteenth-century farmhouse, and steadily expanded plantings across the hillside. Guided early on by advice from the Chianti consortium, the estate moved to farming exclusively Sangiovese, a decision that still defines its wines today.

The 2020 Chianti Classico comes entirely from Sangiovese grown on low-yielding vineyards scattered across the estate's south-facing slopes, at elevations between 250 and 320 meters. Fermentation happens in stainless steel with native yeasts, after which the wine spends two to three years resting in large traditional oak casks, followed by several more months settling in bottle before release, a slow, old-fashioned approach that few producers in the region still follow.

The wine shows ripe red cherry, blood orange, and bergamot, layered with violets, potpourri, and a savory hint of leather. The palate is dusty and grippy, with firm tannins and bright acidity that keep the fruit lifted through a long finish. It suits pizza, hearty stews, or pasta tossed with a rich meat sauce.