I Sodi di S. Niccolò · IGT 2018

  The I Sodi di S. Niccolò from Castellare di Castellina is a monument to Tuscan winemaking: A blend of around 85% Sangioveto (an old name for Sangiovese) and around 15% Malvasia Nera, it is rooted in calcareous and marly soil layers in the “Sodi” cru vineyard near the church of San Niccolò, whose name refers to the stony subsoil that the peasant winegrowers once had to work by hand. Hand-picked grapes, gentle processing, and up to 30 months of aging in barriques—half of which are new—give the wine structured depth and great aging potential.

In the glass, I Sodi displays a deep ruby red color with garnet red reflections—a harbinger of its concentration and origin. The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe cherries, wild berries, and dark fruit jam, complemented by noble spice notes such as vanilla and licorice, which refer to the aging in wood and the powerful terroir. On the palate, it impresses with great expression, elegant, sweet-seeming tannins, clear fruit, and a lively freshness—the finish is long, carried by minerality and character of origin. A wine with style and potential that complements intense dishes such as game, aged cheese, or classic Tuscan roasts. - Gerardo [TS10/19]