Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from Castellare di Castellina in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti, Siena. The S. Niccolò vineyard lies in a southeast-facing natural amphitheatre at an average elevation of 430 m. Fresh air arriving from Valdelsa moderates the climate and widens the temperature range at night. Limestone and hard, stone-rich soils characterize the site. The vines are trained to Guyot with a single arched cane, at densities ranging from 2,700 vines per hectare in older plantings to 6,000 in newer ones. Yield is 40–45 quintals per hectare, equivalent to 4.0–4.5 tonnes per hectare, and harvest takes place in mid-October.
Grapes
The 2017 limited edition is a blend of 85% Sangioveto and 15% Malvasia Nera, two native varieties, sourced from two leading estate crus.
Vinification
Vinification takes place in steel, followed by malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine matures for 24–30 months in barriques, 50% of which are new, followed by bottle ageing.
Technical data
Toscana IGT. Published formats are 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L and 6 L. Special 15 L and 18 L bottles were also produced for the 40 Harvests release and offered at auction together with an art book devoted to the birds depicted on the first 40 vintage labels.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red. The concentrated bouquet opens with ripe red fruit and develops toward jam, spice, vanilla and liquorice. The palate is dense and elegant, with substantial structure and pronounced Sangioveto acidity. Sweet tannins lead into a long, persistent finish. Freshness, complexity and elegance underpin its capacity for prolonged ageing.
Vintage notes
The 2017 season brought prolonged drought and high temperatures. The vineyard's elevated, well-ventilated position moderated those conditions: cool air from Valdelsa enhanced the night-time temperature variation and helped the vines complete their growing cycle while preserving high grape acidity. The resulting wine combines the label's characteristic complexity, elegance and persistence with marked freshness, acidity and longevity.
Label / history
I Sodi di S. Niccolò was first bottled in 1977; the 2017 vintage represents its 40th harvest. The anniversary edition introduced a black label for the first time, with the number 40 in red and the customary bird motif. The bird symbolizes Castellare's commitment to sustainable viticulture. An accompanying art book reproduces the 40 birds illustrated by ornithologist and artist John Gould and featured across the labels of the first 40 vintages.
At Pandolfini's Florence auction on 12 November 2021, a 15 L bottle accompanied by the art book sold for €4,800, the highest price among the Italian wines in that sale. Further 15 L and 18 L examples with the book were entered as lots 895 and 896 in Christie's auction of 2–3 December 2021.
