2020 I Sodi di San Niccolo, Castellare di Castellina
£275 per 6 bottle case in bond
'Magical. This is remarkable in every way'
Antonio Galloni - vinous.com
This particular wine caught our attention back in the 2013 vintage….we predicted great things for the estate. The 2016 seemed to confirm our initial belief, and now we have accessed a well-priced parcel of the 2020. I once commented that it was ‘heartening to still be able to pick up a lesser-known wine of similar calibre at a fraction of the price (of leading Tuscan Sangiovese)...but for how long will this be the case?’ . We may be a few years further down the track, but the same comment applies. They have gently increased their release price since we first purchased, but that is only to be expected. It still ranks as a remarkably fairly priced Sangiovese, when judged against Pergole Torte, Flaccianello et al.
The origins of Castellare di Castellina are unusual...four separate estates (Castellare, Caselle, San Niccolo and Le Case) joined together in the 1970s with the aim of pushing quality ever higher. In fact, Castellare itself was an experimental vineyard planted in collaboration with the University of Milan and the Instituto di San Michele All’Adige. The aim was to research clones of Sangiovese and understand those that were best suited to the terroir – it became the PhD research project of Professore Scienza.
The estate is situated in the heart of the Chianti Classico district, almost equidistant between Florence to the north and Siena to the south. It is an extensive estate of 80 hectares incorporating olive groves and vineyard as is often the case in Tuscany. The vineyard, which comprises limestone marl, galestro (a type of rocky schist common to many of Tuscany’s finest vineyards) and clay soils, stretches over some 33 hectares of hillside, which form a natural south-east facing amphitheatre. I was curious to find out what the name ‘sodi’ referred too; it is a Tuscan word that locals used to describe soils that were very hard to work. Perseverance has paid off here however, as the vineyard is naturally low yielding, and now, partnered with the best clones of Sangiovese, it is delivering a remarkably stylish wine.
The blend is invariably 85% Sangioveto (a synonym for Sangiovese) and 15% Malvasia Nera and it makes for a head-turning wine, showing all the ripeness you might expect in a strong Tuscan vintage, but none of the austerity that can typify young Sangiovese. The Antonio Galloni note below says it all.
Please note the UK market starts at £324 per 6 bottle case in bond, and we have secured a very sharp price, namely £275 per 6.
2020 I Sodi di San Niccolo, Castellare di Castellina
£275 per 6 bottle case in bond
97+ points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, July 2024
The 2020 I Sodi di San Niccolò is fabulous. It is a rare wine that offers power, finesse and translucent energy at once. All the elements are in perfect balance. I can’t remember a Sodi like this one, a wine that is so complete and alluring right out of the gate. Rose petal, lavender, spice, orange peel and sage open first. What impresses me most about the 2020 is the finesse of its tannin, something I have very rarely seen in Sodi at this early stage. Magical. This is remarkable in every way. Drink: 2028-2050