Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2023 Lama dei Cortacci, Castellacio

Davide Bottai is the fourth generation to produce wine at Castellaccio, an eleven hectare estate that historically sold its grapes as bulk. Even before Davide’s recent transformational changes, the winery was already a pioneer, having converted to organic farming in 2013 at the behest of his grandfather and the previous management team. The vineyards are all high elevation for the Chianti Classico DOCG, all between 500m and 700m above sea level where sandstone and quartz dominate the soils. The eleven hectares are split between Lamole and Lucolena, including some of the highest vineyard sites, and, THE very highest vineyard site in all of Chianti Classico. All of the beautiful fruit from these outstanding, unsung and nearly-forgotten terroirs see wild fermentation in concrete before aging in various vessels - 25hl, tonneau or untoasted Burgundy barrels.

From the highest vineyard in all of Chianti Classico (700 meters above sea level at Lamole), on a quartz-rich geological matrix, comes a wine of rock rather than fruit. Spontaneous, wild fermentation in cement and maturation in untoasted Burgundy barrels for 18 months preserve the integrity of a savoury and vibrant Sangiovese. With notes of wild blackberry, white pepper, and flint - the wine finishes with an acid line that makes you salivate for minutes. 600 bottles produced from this unique site in 2023. Grab. It. Now.

"100% Sangiovese. Youthful, just mid crimson. Earthy, brooding cherry and raspberry-jam nose with a subtle pinch of spice. Elegant, fragrant and understated but with a firm structure. The balance is perfectly struck. Ageworthy even if at first sight the fruit seems almost too elegant and light".

17/20 Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com

Drink 2026 - 2034