2021 Castellare Chianti Classico

What is Chianti?

Chianti is a medium-bodied Italian red wine from Tuscany. These wines are known for their lush notes of cherry and earthy savoriness, as well as their tannic profile. Chianti wine is produced with Sangiovese grapes.

An Italian Journalist Turned Vintner

Journalist and winemaker Paolo Panerai created Castellare di Castellina in 1979. Paolo’s stroke of genius came when he joined four boutique-sized vineyards to create the nearly 200 acre Tuscan winery that would ultimately become Castellare di Castellina. Of the 200 acre estate, 81 are planted to vines, with Sangiovese dominating the rows.

Winemaker Alessandro Cellai

Alessandro Cellai’s passion for winemaking was passed down from his farming grandfather and uncle, Giuseppe, a vineyard-tending parish priest. After completing his studies at Istituto Tecnico of Siena, and obtaining a doctorate degree in agrarian studies, he went to work for Paolo Panerai.

The match was perfect for Paolo and Alessandro, as both men are dedicated to traditional Italian winemaking principles. Most notably, the Castellare Chianti Classico embodies this commitment by remaining steadfast in its composition, eschewing the contemporary practice of blending indigenous and international grape varieties like their  Super Tuscan counterparts.

The Castellare Vineyards

The defining feature of the Castellare estate is the vineyards. These Sangiovese vines sit at an eye-watering 1200 feet, making them among the steepest vineyards in Chianti. Growing grapes in such rugged terrain means that the yield of the vines is somewhat lower than what is legally allowed under the Chianti Classico rules. The silver lining here is that the grapes that the vineyard does produce are intensely concentrated with flavor. 

Varieties & Winemaking

While the winery is committed to adhering to traditional Chianti wines, Alessandro and Paolo have also planted French varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Both grapes are used to make single-varieties wines. Interestingly, the winery also aged a few wines in small French oak barrels, which differs from tradition.

It is worth noting that the Chianti Classico bottling is fermented partially in stainless steel and in barrels. The wine is then transferred to cement to maintain a “clean” profile that emphasizes the notes of red and black fruit.

An Ode to Wildlife & Sustainability: The Castallare Wine Label

We love wine labels that are so distinct you remember the outside of the bottle just as much as the wine inside. Case in point: Castallare’s Chianti Classico label is adorned with a Capinera, a species of bird that lives in the hilly land in and around the vineyard. Capinera

It’s not just the Capinera that thrives on the Castellare property, the estate serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including the rare and endangered birds, each of which is depicted on their labels. Each vintage showcases a different avian species, symbolizing the estate’s dedication to sustainable and environmentally sound viticulture practices like no-spray farming.