2017 Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico (750ml)

"Castell'in Villa remains a beacon for classically built wines, even if the Chianti Classicos are a bit more approachable young than they used to be. Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa is a notorious recluse. She releases her wines later than most of her colleagues and is reluctant to show them at all. But wine lovers who are familiar with Castell'in Villa know just how special the wines can be. The 2013 Riserva is especially fine." - Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

Castell'in Villa is a small estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, at the south end of the Chianti Classico region. Both the Chianti Classico and the Riserva are made entirely of Sangiovese, vinified using indigenous fermentations and aged in the traditional large oval barrels, and have been some of the best wines in the appellation for decades. (The owner of the estate, Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa, has never wavered in her commitment to traditional winemaking.) The resulting wines are soulful, distinctive, long-lived, and delicious, proof that the Sangiovese grape can rise to greatness when grown in the right place.

Estate grown in Castelnuovo Berardenga in alluvial soil with pebbles and sand; 100% Sangiovese. The wine is fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts, and is kept in contact with the skins for a little less than two weeks. The wine is aged in large oval barrels ('botti') for two years before bottling. The resulting wine is the best kind of classic Chianti, with the classic aromas of sour cherry, fine leather, sandalwood and cedar, fresh acidity, attractive fine tannins, and a long, complex palate impression.

"The 2017 Chianti Classico will delight Castell’in Villa fans. No, it is not a repeat of the 2016. Let’s get that out of the way. Instead, readers will find a silky, wonderfully nuanced Chianti Classico that is ready to charm right out of the gate. All of the estate signatures are present, but the 2017 benefits from a bit more immediacy because of the warm growing season. Sweet red cherry, cedar, tobacco, sage and dried herbs linger nicely. The 2017 is a gorgeous Chianti Classico. Best of all, it will drink well upon release." 92 points - Antonio Galloni (Vinous, Apr. 2021)