CASTELLARE, I SODI DI SAN NICCOLÒ
TUSCANY, ITALY 2018
Castellare di Castellina i Sodi di San Niccolò Toscana Rosso IGT 2018
Why It's Special: Proprietor Paolo Panerai and longtime winemaker Alessandro Cellai have crafted the kind of Super Tuscan we dream about – a 98-point powerhouse that is light on its feet, and that even in its relative youth dazzles with its complexity and maturity. It's little wonder that Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls it "the single most overlooked high-end wine in Tuscany today."
What They're Saying About It: "The most elegant I Sodi di San Niccolò I have ever tasted," declared Galloni, in a 97-point rave, "and I have tasted them all. ... Mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse. Superb!" Falstaff awarded 98 points, singling out its "subtle smoky notes," the way it "builds" on the palate, and its "long finish."
The Story: I Sodi di San Niccolò was among the first crop of Super Tuscans to emerge in the early 1980s, its name a wry allusion not to the challenge of helping to birth a movement but to the difficulty of launching a vineyard site on a balky patch of land – "I Sodi" refers to land that is difficult to till. Accordingly, all grapes must be hand-harvested, and that throwback, labor-intensive approach extends throughout the winemaking operation. But this is not benighted soil -- not by any means. In fact, its calcareous clay-loam composition, coupled with its high elevation, makes it optimal for the production of big, concentrated wines with acidity and elegance.
The Specs: After fermenting in stainless steel tanks, with racking and pumpovers, the wine was aged for 24 months before bottling in new French oak; in bottle, it aged for an additional 24 months in the cellar.
Our Tasting Notes: Weighty, muscular, rich – yet in spite of its size and flesh, a wine with soft, fine-grained tannins; that beguiling duality makes for a drinking experience of unexpected sensuality and elegance. On the nose, dark fruit (ripe cherries, berries) predominates, with complementary notes of vanilla, leather, and cedar. The aforementioned tannins and the welcome streak of acidity don't just make for a more complex wine; they also testify to the great potential, here, for aging.
ABV: 14%
Fun Fact: The vineyard literally sits on holy land; San Niccolò in the title refers to the abandoned church on the estate property.
What to Pair It With: Pasta Bolognese; braised lamb; double-bone pork chops with pan sauce; chicken with preserved lemon and olives.
Our Guarantee: We always buy direct and only source direct, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2023. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in CA, FL, and TX. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, May 8, 2023.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
