Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico 2019
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 95] [WE 94] [VM 93] [WA 92+] [WS 92]

Winemaker Notes:

Chianti Classico embodies the intensity and freshness of our territory. The austere elegance of Sangiovese is enhanced by the addition of variable percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is a wine which is fresh, but also intense, fruity, full bodied and balanced. It has a good acidity and a lingering taste.

Bright ruby red color. The bouquet on the nose is intense, with rich cherry and red berry aromas and leafy undertones. On the palate it is silky, balanced, with medium body, refined tanning and a long flavorful finish of blackberry and chocolate. 

Ideal with red grilled meat, like Bistecca Fiorentina, and semi to well-aged cheeses. 

Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINIFICATION AND AGING

8 months: concrete tanks
12 months: oak barrels 12 no toast / medium toast
6 months: bottle

Ratings & Reviews:

94 Points, #43 Top 100 Of 2021 - Wine Enthusiast:
"Black-skinned fruit, new leather, tilled earth and blue flower aromas mingle with camphor on this fragrant, enticing red. Fresh and savory, the elegant, full-bodied palate doles out ripe black plum, juicy Morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside polished tannins that give it a velvety texture. Fresh acidity lends brightness and balance. Drink 2022–2028." - Kerin O'Keefe (Mar 2021)

94 Points - Wine & Spirits:
"The Di Napoli family has vines in Panzano, farmed biodynamically for 25 years, yielded an impressively dark and plummy wine in 2018. It opens with a hint of volatility that blows off to reveal scents of lavender and violet. The wine ripe black-cherry flavors are infused with powerful, mineral tannins that keep it taut through the finish." (April 2021)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A wonderful young Chianti Classico with aromas and flavors of black cherries, dark chocolate, wet earth and black truffle. It’s full-bodied with creamy and juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish." (Jul 2020)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Deep, rich and super-expressive, the 2018 captures the essence of the house style, with a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon that adds both complexity and structural intensity. Black cherry, plum, licorice, lavender and dried herbs are kicked up a few notches. This is an especially rich style for the year, but it works so well." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2020)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Castello dei Rampolla 2018 Chianti Classico shows some softness and extra ripeness with dark fruit and plum followed by savory smoke and spice. This wine is an expression of the one and only Panzano in Chianti, a promising subzone in the larger Chianti Classico appellation with panoramic views awash in soft golden light at the end of each glorious day. To the palate, the wine delivers rich, mid-weight intensity with more textured and succulent flavors to follow. This wine is just lovely, especially when tasted right out of the gate when those cherry and blackberry tones are at their brightest." - Monica Larner (Sep 2020)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Smooth and charming, delivering cherry, strawberry, mineral and tobacco flavors on a graceful frame. This is almost seamless at this young stage and should provide pleasure over the next decade. Drink now through 2030. 2,900 cases made, 625 cases imported." - BS (Aug 2021)