The 1980 I Sodi di San Niccolò is bright, perfumed and beautifully focused. The weight of the fruit has dropped out, and what remains is a very pretty, feminine wine that impresses for its grace. Bright red cherries, kirsch, flowers and spices wrap round the pointed, high-toned finish. This is a solid effort for what was a challenging vintage. Heavy rain in the spring caused an irregular flowering. The end of the growing season, September and October in particular, were quite warm. In 1980 Castellare introduced French oak for the first time, 50% new in this vintage.