Castellare I Sodi di S. Niccolò

I Sodi di San Niccolò Toscana IGT bottle image

Wine Description

This legendary wine was one of the first Super Tuscans crafted entirely with indigenous varietals. I Sodi di San Niccoló was created in the early 1970s with the goal of demonstrating that the native grapes of the region could produce a wine of the highest quality without the aid of international varietals. Today this goal has been achieved, with I Sodi consistently ranking in the top 100 wines among the most important international wine magazines. Made from 85% Sangioveto and 15% Malvasia Nera. After a maceration period of 18-25 days, the wine is transferred to new barriques and aged for 24 months. "I Sodi" refers to land that is difficult to till and must be harvested by hand, while "San Niccoló" is an abandoned church on the Castellare property.

Alessandro Cellai
Castellare Vines
Castellare Vineyard
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Acclaim
The 1995 I Sodi di San Niccolò emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, licorice, spices and sweet red berries. It is the first wine in this tasting that still retains considerable freshness and acidity, both of which suggest it may need more time. I very much like the energy and focus here. The purity of the fruit is striking. The late harvest produced a powerful, structured wine that recalls elements of the 1988.
— Wine Advocate, Jun 2012
A solid, well-built red with smoke, dried cherry and mineral character throughout. Medium-bodied, with medium, velvety tannins and a medium, fruity finish. Harmonious.
— Wine Spectator, Nov 2001
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Toscana IGT
Vineyard name
Chianti Classico/The I Sodi di San Niccolò vineyard
Vineyard size
12.4 acres
Soil composition
Diatomaceous
Training method
Upside down Guyot
Elevation:
1,100-1,500 feet
Vines/acre:
1,100-2,800
Exposure:
Southwestern
Harvest time:
October
First vintage of this wine:
1980
Bottles produced of this wine:
30,000
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
18-25
Varietal composition:
85% Sangioveto and 15% Malvasia Nera
Fermentation container:
Stainless Steel Tanks
Fermentation temperature:
83 °F
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Length of aging before bottling:
24 months
Age of Aging Container:
New
Length of bottle aging:
12 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.3
Acidity:
5.8 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Dry extract:
32 g/L