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2020 CHIANTI CLASSICO Castagnoli, Lea & Sandeman

CHIANTI CLASSICO

2020 Castagnoli

IN STOCK
Grapes Sangiovese
Colour Red
Origin Italy, Tuscany
Other Certified Organic
District Chianti
Sub-district Chianti Classico
ABV 14.5%

Another sensational release from Castagnoli, with more muscle and power in 2020 than the more delicate elegance of 2019. The hallmark freshness of Castagnoli does still shine through wonderfully. Detail and finesse are matched by good power, and good drive. Winemaker Filippo says for him this is probably a better wine than the 2019, and they worked really hard in the cellar to harness all the natural brilliance of the year with very gentle extraction of the juice. Some in open top plastic fermenters, using their hands to gently push down the cap as required and - the rest fermented in steel with gentle pump overs. Cherry fruit, firm blueberry and lovely sweet plum flesh combine with wild herbs. Beautiful drive and energy keeps this an an enthralling glass of wine and a very fine Chianti indeed. L&S (Mar 2023)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The broad terraces of bush vines on an open, sunny slope of western Castellina have created a pure, joyous Sangiovese Annata with great expressiveness and finesse. The nose opens with sweet almond paste, barley and maraschino cherry. The energy level picks up on the palate, which has a pleasingly bitter entry with quinine and gentian, dried cranberry fruit and a continued sense of sweet almond beneath. The tannins are slightly gravelly – reflecting the calcareous element in the soil here – but the mid-palate is sheer, with a translucency enhanced by flamboyant crescendos of acidity and a seductive hint of white pepper. Drinking range: 2023 - 2029 Rating: 93 Sarah Heller MW, Club Oenologique (May 2023)

Castagnoli

The first mention of Castagnoli was as early as the year 979, when it was an abbey. Centuries later it became the home of a noble Florentine family. The name recalls the previous existence of a chestnut forest.

The wines produced here are a true reflection of the hard work that has been undertaken by the current owners, the Shefernacker family, who are also wine producers in Württemberg. They have been pioneering in the appellation with their dedication to biodynamic cultivation. Today the estate extends to 13.5 hectares of vineyards and olive trees, planted on soils with a mix of galestro, loam, limestone and schist.

The vineyard was planted from 1978, and they decided to make narrow stone terraces on a steep south and south-westerly-facing slope. The Sangiovese vines were planted each supported by one stake, like the albarelli of Etna. The current generation may rue this choice as these terraces and the way of training the vines both entail an enormous amount of manual work. However, the quality of the 'Terrazze' Riserva is indisputable.

The cool, high terrain gives elegant, long-ripened Sangiovese, and although they have experimented with other varieties, it is this which really shines here.

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