This was a terrific looking bottle, cellared since release, with a base neck fill, good cork, and color that is still deep and bright. Tight nose, hints of nutty oak layered over creaminess, soil, fresh medicinal herbs, a touch of iron, so soil driven and dusty, with some dried spice, sun burnt cherry, and flinty blackberry fruit.
So austere, so regal, with just incredible cut and definition in the mouth. There's an important tannic imprint here, but the tannins are so fine grained; it’s elegant yet strict, A german could have made this wine. Gaining some weight on the backend before yielding to the dusty soil driven, cherry skin toned finish. Just a suggestion of bitterness adding amplitude to the bitter black cherry skin flavors of the finish. Just terrific, so complete, nervous with defining tension in the mouth and a persistence to the fruit that is not based on sweetness or weight, but leaves an impression of fruit skin extract on the palate. Absolutely at peak and one of the finest example of Sangiovese I’ve had in a long time. Should drink well for another decade at least, and I wouldn't be surprised if its fine for another decade after that.
Just a regal wine, distinctive, unique, of its place and time.
Originally published with video at: https://www.simplybetterwines.com/gdpandthepig/1999-castellare-di-castellina-i-sodi-di-san-niccolo
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Like my friend Greg dal Piaz says. A stunning, breathtaking bottle of sangiovese in a superb place. One of the best bottles I've had recently and one of the best sangio's I've had in a very long time. There is a dark, brooding quality to this wine that has perhaps an an affinity to Montalcino initialy, but the spine and structure of this are all Chianti Classico. I envy that Greg has a few more bottles!
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(Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGT) Overripe plum, black cherry nose; good, tart cherry and plum palate with balsamic notes, tight yet; medium finish (85% Sangiovese, 15% Malvasia Nero)
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12/1/2023 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wrote: flawed
Not rated due to mild corking. Hope to try this one again soon!
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10/15/2023 - Nanda wrote: 92 Points
At peak. Significant concentration of red cherry with loads of herb and spice. Good complexity and nuance. Long, flavorful finish.
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10/15/2023 - Nanda wrote: flawed
corked
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5/13/2020 - Gregory Dal Piaz wrote: 96 Points
This was a terrific looking bottle, cellared since release, with a base neck fill, good cork, and color that is still deep and bright. Tight nose, hints of nutty oak layered over creaminess, soil, fresh medicinal herbs, a touch of iron, so soil driven and dusty, with some dried spice, sun burnt cherry, and flinty blackberry fruit.
So austere, so regal, with just incredible cut and definition in the mouth. There's an important tannic imprint here, but the tannins are so fine grained; it’s elegant yet strict, A german could have made this wine. Gaining some weight on the backend before yielding to the dusty soil driven, cherry skin toned finish. Just a suggestion of bitterness adding amplitude to the bitter black cherry skin flavors of the finish. Just terrific, so complete, nervous with defining tension in the mouth and a persistence to the fruit that is not based on sweetness or weight, but leaves an impression of fruit skin extract on the palate. Absolutely at peak and one of the finest example of Sangiovese I’ve had in a long time. Should drink well for another decade at least, and I wouldn't be surprised if its fine for another decade after that.
Just a regal wine, distinctive, unique, of its place and time.
Originally published with video at: https://www.simplybetterwines.com/gdpandthepig/1999-castellare-di-castellina-i-sodi-di-san-niccolo
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4/24/2020 - baroloboy55-2.0 wrote: 95 Points
Like my friend Greg dal Piaz says. A stunning, breathtaking bottle of sangiovese in a superb place. One of the best bottles I've had recently and one of the best sangio's I've had in a very long time. There is a dark, brooding quality to this wine that has perhaps an an affinity to Montalcino initialy, but the spine and structure of this are all Chianti Classico. I envy that Greg has a few more bottles!
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