CASTELLO DELLA PANERETTA
TUSCANY, ITALY 2021
WHY BUY: Four wines of tremendous value from an estate whose winemaking history goes back 400 years, led by a 94-point Gran Selezione with nearly 10 years of bottle age that delivers aromatic richness and textural complexity for — wait for it — a mere $35. Here is Sangiovese the way it was meant to be: not obscured by add-on varietals that smother its innate delicacy, but allowed to sing with the pure, crystalline voice that only this grape — and only on these ancient hillsides — can produce.
CONTEXT: Unlike many producers who chased international trends, Paneretta preserved their heritage vines and maintained a righteous commitment to native varieties, recognizing that while good Cabernet can be made anywhere, only Chianti Classico can produce truly outstanding Sangiovese.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling hailed the Torre a Destra 2016 for its “deep and intense" nose with "dark plums, kirsch, sweet spices, burnt orange peel and toasted cedar,” its "wide compact tannins,” and its "deep succulence." Antonio Galloni of Vinous has long been a Paneretta devotee, praising the "beautiful and expressive wine[s] that capture the personality of this part of the Chianti Classico zone” and highlighting their "rare mix of aromatic beauty and savory, finely woven tannins."
OUR TASTING NOTES: What struck us immediately about these wines, in our recent tasting, was their remarkable transparency — not in the sense of dilution, but rather in their clarity in transmitting both the character of Sangiovese and the distinctive terroirs from which they emerge. The two Riservas offer an instructive study in vintage character; the 2020 delivers a more immediate charm with its supple fruit and silken tannins, while the 2021 presents a more structured, classically proportioned profile that portends graceful long-aging. Both share that distinctive marriage of red cherry fruit and savory herbal qualities that defines great Chianti. The Torre a Destra 2016 is the crown jewel of the lineup, demonstrating how Sangiovese can achieve a level of aromatic complexity and textural refinement that rivals far more expensive offerings from more fashionable regions. The 2015 Terrine G, drawn from the estate's most distinctive terroir, offers a fascinating counterpoint with its greater concentration and more pronounced mineral character.
THE STORY: Wine has flowed from this picturesque corner of Tuscany since at least 1596, the first documented vintage of what would become one of Chianti's most steadfast champions of tradition. The estate's early years saw it pass from the Vettori family to the Capponis through a fortuitous marriage in 1577, transforming it into a vibrant cultural salon where artists and poets gathered under frescoed loggias painted by Bernardino Poccetti (who, if he were around today, would probably have his own HGTV show and a line of luxury wallpaper). For centuries afterward, the property remained in aristocratic hands, with the powerful Strozzi family maintaining stewardship until 1984, when the Albisettis took the helm. Throughout these changes of ownership, one thing remained remarkably constant: a commitment to the land and its native grapes that borders on the stubborn — or visionary, depending on your perspective. When the modernization frenzy of the 1960s and 70s swept through Tuscany like a fever dream, neighboring estates ripped out ancient vines with abandon, replacing heritage Sangiovese with whatever international variety promised the quickest path to commercial success. You could almost hear Robert Frost muttering, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..." as Paneretta chose the one less traveled, preserving their venerable vines while others rushed headlong toward homogeneity. That decision now looks pretty inspired. Those old vines, weathered and wise as village elders, represent a living genetic library of what Sangiovese was meant to be before global palates and market pressures began reshaping Tuscany's landscape. Today, Paneretta operates with what you might call "enlightened traditionalism” — honoring ancient methods while gently incorporating modern precision to create wines of both clarity and character.
THE TERROIR: Paneretta contains an extraordinary diversity of soils within a relatively compact area. This remarkable variation creates, essentially, three distinct vineyard areas at the estate — each one imparting different characteristics to the wines. The Terrine, Torre a Destra, and Torre a Sinistra vineyards face east/southeast, and feature the typical marl-like soil of Chianti called galestro, a combination of limestone and clay that produces the estate's most structured and complex wines.
FUN FACT: The Paneretta castle, built around an ancient sighting tower that played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Battle of Montaperti, in 1260, has witnessed nearly eight centuries of Tuscan history — with wine production documented at the estate for more than 400 of those years.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, these wines are sourced directly from the estate to ensure perfect provenance and optimal condition. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2025. 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 not valid in CT, KS, MI, MO, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, April 10th, 2025.