Castello di Verrazzano – Mixed Case Reds 3 pk 2018

Tasting Notes

The offer includes one bottle of each wine: 2 Gran Selezione – “Valdonica” and “Sassello” – and 1 Super-Tuscan “Bottiglia Particolare”. The wines are from the 2018 vintage and sold in an exceptional wood case.

2018 Valdonica Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG (2,000 bottles produced):
First produced in 2013, Valdonica Gran Selezione represents a collaboration with the University of Florence and the European Union to promote the use of materials with local identity. In this case, grapes and wood from the Chianti Classico zone.

Made from 100% Sangiovese obtained from the Valdonica vineyard, the wine is aged for 12 months in small 250 L chestnut barrels made from trees growing in the area. With a looser grain, chestnut imparts a unique flavour, allowing more oxygen to seep into the barrels while aging. The result is an elegant and complex wine of great intensity with notes of black cherry, mustard flowers, tobacco, and cinnamon. The palate is fresh and powerful with rich tannins suitable for aging. The Valdonica vineyard is certified organic. (15% alc. less than 1 gr/l RS)

2018 Sassello Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG (10,000 bottles produced):
Made from organically grown Sangiovese from the Querciolina vineyard, harvested by hand and aged for a minimum of 24 months in small French barriques. Sassello is named for the small birds who inhabit the vineyards. It represents the estate’s top production of Chianti Classico.

Perfectly ripened grapes grown in the Castello’s highest elevation vineyard offer a dense, juicy and age-worthy style. Notes of cherries, blackberries, raspberries, spice, oak and vanilla can be found on the nose and palate along with closely woven tannins that are well integrated on the long finish. (14.5% alc. less than 1 gr/l RS)

2018 Bottiglia Particolare Super Tuscan (12,000 bottles produced):
The name comes from an ancient bottle mold found at the Castello that eventually became the embossed bottle that is now used for all Verrazzano wines. This “particular” or “unique” bottle inspired the name for Castello di Verrazzano’s first Super Tuscan wine.

Produced from 60% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, organically grown grapes are hand harvested and fermented in small batches at controlled temperature. Bottiglia Particolare is aged in barrique for minimum of 18 months, followed by large barrel aging for an additional six months. Deep ruby red in color with garnet reflections, the wine opens with a pronounced aromas of red and black forest berries framed by scents of cigar box and vanilla oak. Elegant, rich and silky on the palate, finishing with persistent notes of dark chocolate and spice. A perfect marriage of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. (14.5% alc. less than 1 gr/l RS)

Food Pairings

Pair with red meat dishes, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised and stewed meats, mature/hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano

Third Party Reviews

2018 Sassello Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG:

“Produced for over 40 years, this single-vineyard bottling has been made with 100% Sangiovese since its inception. Initially a Vino da Tavola, it has come up through the ranks as it progressed to IGT Toscana, then Chianti Classico Riserva, and finally Gran Selezione in 2016. Long ageing lends tertiary notes of dried flowers, coffee, leather and chestnut, yet this is still resolutely structured. Firm, dense and austere rather than rich, it will require further cellaring to soften. Serve with game to match its earthy, irony nuances.” – 92 Pts. Michaela Morris (Decanter February 2023)