Castellare Di Castellina 'I Sodi di San Niccolo' 2022 - 1.5 Litre Bottle

Originating from Italy in the Tuscany region, specifically within the Toscana IGT appellation in Castellina in Chianti, Castellare di Castellina 'I Sodi di San Niccolò' 2022 1.5 Litre Bottle represents a iconic, historic, and highly collectible Super Tuscan expression bottled in the prestigious Magnum format. First released in 1977 by Paolo Panerai, 'I Sodi di San Niccolò' made history as the very first Super Tuscan to be crafted exclusively from native Tuscan grape varieties without international blending. Sourced from two exceptional, high-elevation estate vineyards (sodi referring to hard-to-till stony soils) in Castellina in Chianti planted at 350 to 400 metres elevation, the vines grow on rich galestro and clay-limestone soils. The winemaking philosophy under renowned enologist Alessandro Cellai involves hand harvesting, ambient yeast fermentation in stainless steel vats, and maturation in fine French oak barriques (approximately 50% new) for 24 to 30 months. Bottled in a 1.5 Litre format, the larger liquid volume slows oxidation and extends bottle maturation, resulting in superior long-term cellaring stability, freshness, and structural integration.

Wine Description

The wine presents an opaque, deep dark ruby red colour with bright purple-garnet reflections along the rim. An expressive, highly complex bouquet opens with noble aromas of ripe dark cherry, wild blackberry, red plum, and blood orange, interwoven with sophisticated notes of crushed dried rose petals, pipe tobacco, graphite, leather, liquorice, and subtle French oak spice. On the palate, it is full bodied, multi-layered, and taut, delivering concentrated flavours of dark berry fruit jam, tart cherry curd, and savory mineral earth, all supported by a bright, mouthwatering spine of natural acidity. Framed by rich, fine-grained, firm galestro tannins and a deep, coat-the-mouth mid-palate structure, it concludes with an extraordinarily long, persistent finish marked by lingering red fruit, dried Mediterranean herbs, and a clean chalky mineral grip. Composed of 85% Sangioveto (the historic local clone of Sangiovese) blended with 15% Malvasia Nera, this 2022 1.5 Litre release offers an optimal drinking window of 2030–2055+. Stylistically, it combines Castellina's high-altitude elegance and high-toned acidity with powerful structure, enhanced cellaring potential, and timeless complexity.