New Arrivals

96 points James Suckling
Complex and deeply embedded aromas of ripe blackberries, spices and aromatic bark. Full-bodied and very firm for now, with impressive concentration of fruit and tannin. Very long, balanced finish. Great to taste now, but this is one for the cellar. Patience will be rewarded. Sangiovese and malvasia nera. This has always been a top Tuscan red. Best from 2027.

95 points Vinous
The 2019 I Sodi di San Niccol is another fabulous wine from Castellare. At this stage, the 2019 is an infant. The purity of the fruit is compelling. Despite its considerable intensity, the 2019 appears to have less forbidding tannins than in many years, which should allow it to drink well with minimal cellaring. Blood orange, sweet spice, leather and cedar linger on the stylish finish.

95 points Wine Spectator
An intense, vibrant red marked by haunting scents of violet, black cherry, blackberry, wild rosemary, eucalyptus and iron. Supple and open, yet with solid structure underneath. This wine's precision balance renders it approachable now, yet this will be better in two to three years. Spicy aftertaste. Sangioveto and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2026 through 2047. 2,500 cases made, 800 cases imported.

95 points Wine Advocate
This is a long-celebrated blend of 85% Sangioveto (another name for Sangiovese) and 15% Malvasia Nera from one of the headline estates of Castellina in Chianti. The Castellare di Castellina 2019 I Sodi di S. Niccolò (with 55,000 bottles released) opens to soft texture and medium weight with dark aromas of blackcurrant and cherry. Those aromas show an earthy or savory side that comes through to the palate. The wine closes with sweet tannins, and this vintage boasts a solid build overall.

Organic

Organic

The roots of wine production in Conero (located in the middle of the Marche) date back to the 10th century BC, during the Etruscan period. Compared to that, the Malacari family's 500 years in the region seems rather brief, though they are one of, if not the longest, continually operating winery in the region. Alessandro Starrabba is at the helm of the winery and is the current generation of the Malacari through his mother's side of the family. He makes some of the best value (and super soulful!) Montepulciano to be found in Italy. Both his Rosso Conero Villa Malacari and the more modest Rocca bottling offer tons of character at very modest pricepoints. These wines are full of character and offer a level of quality that should not be overlooked. - Distributor