Visit To Castello Dei Rampolla

WINE TALK
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We met with Maurizia di Napoli at Vinitaly and tasted the wines. Confirmed our visit to the estate as we were traveling to stay just outside Panzano for three days after the show. Arriving at the winery Maurizia walked us around for a tour. The winery is a great example of rustic beauty. Not some over styled idea of what a winery should look like. Nestled in a nice part of the Conca d Oro, they practice biodynamic farming, use indigenous yeast and a mix of cask, barrique and amphora. The amphora is used on the Sangiovese and they are working with/on a Cab Sav from the amphora. The Sangiovese is one of the most interesting wines that I have tasted from Tuscany in quite some time. Two hours went by in a flash. This humble estate is turning out some of the best and most interesting wines in Tuscany. And one of the most important in the region. Looking forward to seeing her again on Mon in Northern Virginia. And she will be in NYC for the Tuscany in the city event hosted by Galloni.

Wines tasted
2011 Chianti Classico
2005 Sammarco
2003 d’Alceo
several wines from amphora

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Gary,

Thanks for your note. Sounds like a great visit. I am a fan of their CC, Sammarco and Vigna d’Alceo. The Amphora options sound pretty interesting.

Byron

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They make really nice wines. The amphora wines are very interesting and show a new dynamic side of Sangiovese. If they can make this level of wine, consistently and do so in numbers they will force other producers to reconsider how they make wine in Tuscany.