Vitae 2025: awards for Podere il Castellaccio

Vtae 2025: awards for Podere Il Castellaccio: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 with 4 Viti.

4 Viti Vite 2025 Podere il Castellaccio

Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 IGT

Grapes: 70% Sangiovese 30% mix of foglia tonda & pugnitello.
Training System: Spurred cordon.
Harvest: Late September/early October.
Vinification: Fermented and macerated in oak barrels at controlled temperature.
Ageing: 12 months in 20 hl barrels and 12 months in the bottle.

TASTING NOTES:
Dark, luminous ruby red colour predominant aromas include refined spices, sour cherry and blackcurrants, balsamic notes, vanilla and resinated aromas of mediterranean pine; a highly classical expression of a native tuscan wine.
On the palate the tannin is dense and elegant, and heading towards a soft, velvety feel. to bring out the best in the wine, match with local products, such as cheeses, cured meats, pasta with meat sauce or grilled meats.

logo castellaccio

The passion of one man marks the beginning of the history of Podere Il Castellaccio. In the 1960s, Luigi Corradini, the maternal grandfather of current owner Alessandro Scappini, found an estate of 18 hectares on the hills of Castagneto Carducci. The area is Bolgheri, a place that was not yet world famous and had nothing to recommend it other than the essence of the land and the potential it had to produce great wine.
To plant his first vineyards Luigi was only able to use grapes that were native to the Chianti and Scansano area. Thus were Pugnitello, Foglia Tonda, Sangiovese planted – just a few hectares, native wine varieties and a small wine cellar. Over the years, the management of the estate gradually transitioned into the hands of his son Roberto.

However, it was only in 2009 that the winery Podere Il Castellaccio was founded by Alessandro Scappini, the third generation in charge of the estate.
Alessandro Scappini, born and raised in Bolgheri, decided indeed to work with a 60 years old family vineyard planted with ancient varieties.

In the meantime he also starts growing the signature grapes of the DOC and makes his debut on the market with its first Bolgheri wine with the vintage 2015.

His path inside the DOC is completed in the vintage 2018 when his Bolgheri Superiore Il Castellaccio is born and it was released for the first time on the market at the begin of 2021.

Podere Il Castellaccio is situated in Castagneto Carducci, across the seaward side of Segalari Hills, at an altitude of 194 meters a.s.l.

Alessandro Scappini

Due to its geographic position, the vineyards enjoy  a Mediterranean climate, with more solar radiations, a  better thermal excursion and a higher ventilation.

Not only Bolgheri 

A sip from the past, while looking to the future” is the catchphrase used by this highly-manicured Bolgheri winery.

The family passion and the expertise added by the winemaker Attilio Pagli have the aim to tell the story of the region through the salvaging of ancient varieties that are inextricably linked to the tradition of Tuscan wine, specifically in the area of Bolgheri.
The older vineyards, occupying more than 2 hectares, are planted with Tuscan natives Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda and Pugnitello.
castellaccio's wines

More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials

Vitae 2025: awards for Palazzone

Vtae 2025: awards for Palazzone: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Orvieto Classico Superiore Campo del Guardiano 202 with 4 Viti.

Campo del Guardiano 2021
This wine comes from the most beautiful piece of land on our estate, renown to generations of local farmers as Campo del Guardiano. Following bottling this Orvieto Classico Superiore is aged in Palazzone’s cellar for many months. The complexity, the aromas and the freshness of the fruit remain intact for years proving the wine’s astonishing capacity to age beautifully.

GRAPES: Procanico 50% Grechetto 30% Verdello, Malvasia 20%

TASTING NOTES: intense straw color with sharp green reflections. The nose is protound, retineds and prolonged; on the palate silky and well structured, vibrant and persistent.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: with dishes that are not only powerful but also restrained and delicately balanced, recipes of veal, fowl, and pork, in the finest Umbrian tradition.

Palazzone Vinibuoni Guide 2022

In 1969 the Dubini family bought the property “Palazzone”, constructed by Cardinal Teodorico at the bidding of Pope Boniface VIII as a hostel for pilgrims on their way to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of 1300 A.D. Today after a restoration with respect for the noble architecture, “Palazzone” is a boutique hotel with elegant suites. The hilly portion of the land adjacent to Rocca Ripesena, with its superb view of Orvieto on its majestic crag, consisted of sedimentary soil and clay.
Angelo Dubini decided to plant 25 hectares to vines of varieties that he expected would make wine of great complexity and character. In 1982 his two sons, Giovanni and Lodovico, made the first small vintage from these grapes. In1988 their vintage was sufficient to justify the construction of a winery to process all their own grapes and also to organise and begin the commercial marketing of what is now “Palazzone” wine regarded as one of the most significant labels in Umbria.

PALAZZONE IS UNIQUE

Unique in the land: Unique for the combination of clays and the rocks that constitute the soil of the 24 hectares of our vineyards; a stratification of ancient seabeds, rivers and centuries of Etruscan history.

Unique in the grapes: Unique in the particular union of our traditional varieties. each with its distinctive character.
Unique in the craftsmanship: Unique in the creative and productive methods, in the pursuit of quality and with margin for personal interpretation.
Unique in the longevity: Unique because we are “Wine Artisans.” Years of experience and commitment have taught us to further the powers of our land to bring forth age worthy wines.

More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials

New awards for Cantina di Santadi

Silver for Santadi's Rocca Rubia

New awards for Cantina di Santadi: Kerin O’Keefe rated the Terre Brune, Noras and Antigua with respectively 93, 92 and 91 Points.

Since 1960, vini fatti con arte.

 The Cantina di Santadi Winery is located in the Sulcis area, in South-western Sardinia, just a few miles as the crow flies from the dazzling beaches and white sand dunes of Porto Pino. It was established in 1960, and after some start-up difficulties, a new management gave it a decisive boost, driven by strong determination which fanned enthusiasm and passion.

Thus the Winery embarked on an ambitious programme, adopting new strategies and clear targets, streamlining its operations and issuing coherent guidelines to its member grape growers.

Carignano Vine: Prince of the territory of Sulcis
Wise use of French barriques gives a perfect, harmonious finishing touch to the development of these superb wines. The great reds: Terre Brune, Rocca Rubia, Noras, Araja, Grotta Rossa and Antigua, are accompanied by stylish whites: Villa di Chiesa, Cala Silente, Pedraia, Villa Solais, Latinia, all offsprings of an ancient winemaking tradition coupled with the use of state-of-the-art technology in the sectors of vinification, stabilization and bottling.

The wines: Sulcis’ Excellences
Good wine is born in the vineyard – our job is to enhance grape quality through skilful cultivation, and then, in the winery, to make the best use of this gift of nature. The Santadi Winery processes mainly black grapes, about 75% of total production. The most important varieties are Carignano, Monica, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Bovaleddu as regards the reds, and Vermentino, Nuragus, Chardonnay and Nasco for the whites.

Vineyard cultivation methods are carefully designed to maintain low production per plant and so maximise grape quality.

…discover more…take a look at their website 

I 1000 vini d’Italia 2025: L’Espresso

I 1000 vini d’Italia 2025 – L’ Espresso: Zenato‘s Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato 2018 and Cresasso 2018 received respectively 96 and 95 Points.

AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA RISERVA SERGIO ZENATO 2018

World Wine Awards Decanter 2022
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Produced only in top vintages, this graceful wine is made from a selection of Corvina and Rondinella grapes grown in the oldest vineyards in the township of Sant’Ambrogio in Valpolicella’s “classic” zone.

Following vinification, it undergoes long-term aging for at least 4 years in Slavonian oak casks.

It represents the very identity of the winery and its legacy throughout the world – a wine that can age and be enjoyed for more than 20 years.

With luminous and dense color, elegant complexity and a wonderf

CORVINA VERONESE
CRESASSO
2018

zenato cresasso bottle
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Made from Corvina Veronese, this single-vineyard designate wine is deeply connected to the land where it is grown.

Its intense, deep ruby red color tinges the glass as its thick, lingering legs slide down the edges.

On the nose, it delivers a spectrum of delicious and enchanting red fruit, blueberry, and blackberry notes that evolve into intense aromas of black cherry, cooked prune and jam.

It’s ideal for grilled meats, roast meats, game, and grilled sausage. It also pairs wonderfully with aged cheeses and rich tomato sauces prepared with herbs.

The story of Zenato is the story of a family that firmly planted its roots in the land. It was made possible thanks to the passion and entrepreneurial vision of the estate’s founder, Sergio, who managed to fulfill his greatest dream: to create a winery capable of harvesting the fruits of the earth and transform them into emotions with matchless flavor.

Today, more than 60 years later, the results are testament to his extraordinary vision. A wonderful story took shape thanks to his vision and today its star is his family: Wife Carla and children Alberto and Nadia.
Their eyes and their heart continue down the path that Sergio laid out with great clarity as he steadied the course toward quality and love for their land. Over time, that land wasn’t just Lugana but also Valpolicella, with its celebrated red wines and their matchless aromas.

family foto Zenato

Vitae 2025: awards for Grati

Vtae 2025: awards for Grati: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded their Vin Santo 2006 and Canaiolo Bianco 2018 with 4 Viti.

Canaiolo Bianco Borgo Prunatelli
Since its first vintage (2012) it’s  the only single varietal Canaiolo Bianco.
It’s very important to underline that it is NOT a Canaiolo Nero vinified without pomace, but it is a wine made with the Canaiolo Bianco variety.

Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina
A masterpiece where freshness and elegance  are combined with a thick mouthfeel

How it the Vinsanto made?

The vinsantaio, where vinsanto is made, hangs full of grape bunches, quite appropriately above the family chapel at Villa Vetrice, as ‘vinsanto or vino santo‘ means ‘holy wine’.

In the Grati family, it is a tradition that began over a hundred years ago, with which the great secret of vinsanto, the madre (mother), is also over a century old.

The madre is an aromatic sediment of inactive fine lees. She, a natural yeast, is ‘eterna’, for ever, because each new production uses some of the old that has multiplied at the end of the process and is then kept again.

Healthy bunches of grapes were picked in mid-September, and hung in the vinsantaio to slowly dry out for over three months.
70% of the grapes are white, Malvasia and Trebbiano, 30% are blue, Sangiovese.
Vinsanto is made only in years with extremely healthy grape material.
Sulfur is lit daily in the vinsantaio to clean the air of insects and unwanted critters. There is also the game of windows, which are open during the day and closed again at night, depending on the weather. The grapes have to dry properly and slowly. As an extra help, only if needed, ventilators can be used.

Villa di Vetrice: Vinsantaia

In December or January, when 30% of the original volume remains, the grapes are pressed. The must is then put into clean caratelli, small wooden barrels, on top of the madre. The caratelli are then sealed with cement, while 25% of the space remains empty.
Fermentation starts slowly in March, while temperatures rise and stops with the heat in summer. For three years in a row.  In winter, spontaneous clarification takes place, including the deposition of the madre.
The wine then remains in the unopened caratelli for at least ten years before being bottled.
Villa di Vetrice Vinsanto del Chianti Rùfina DOC comes with 17% alcohol and 100% class.

Villa di Vetrice: caratelli per vinsanto

It is excellent as a dessert wine, but also by itself, for instance with cantucci, typical Tuscan almond cookies.


The 2006 vintage is currently on sale in 50cl bottles.

borgo-prunatelli-1

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New awards for Patrizia Cencioni

Logo Patrizia Cencioni

New awards for Patrizia Cencioni: Kerin O’Keefe rated the Brunello Patrizia Cencioni 2020 and Brunello Ofelio 2020 with respectively 93 and 95 Points.

93 points for Brunello di Montalcino
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Tastingnote: “The fragrant 2020 Brunello from Patrizia Cencioni opens with heady aromas of dog rose, sun-warmed hay, new leather, espresso and Mediterranean scrub. On the enveloping palate, tightly woven, velvety tannins accompany fleshy red plum, Morello cherry and cake spice before a soothing licorice close.
Drink 2028–2035.: Abv: N/A”

Kerin O’Keefe November 2024 ©kerinokeefe.com

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Tastingnote: “Aromas of forest floor mingle with dark exotic spice, Mediterranean brush and blue flower on the fragrant 2020 Brunello Ofelio. Aged for 40 months in 15 Hl Slavonian oak casks, it’s enveloping and savory, featuring layers of ripe red cherry, zesty orange, tobacco, mocha and licorice. Firm, velvety tannins provide structure and finesse. 
Drink 2030–2036. Abv: N/A”

Kerin O’Keefe November 2024
©kerinokeefe.com

Logo Patrizia Cencioni

GOOD MONTALCINO WINE IS BORN IN THE VINEYARD AND GROWS IN THE CELLAR,
FROM THE PASSION OF THREE UNIQUE WOMEN

THE WINERY
Patrizia Cencioni winery is family-run, managed by the owner Patrizia and her two daughters Annalisa and Arianna.

Thanks to the long family experience and the entrepreneurial skills of the owner, a refined feminine touch is added.

Patrizia Cencioni

THE LAND
The vineyards date back to 1989, the year in which the company was born, which draws its origins from an ancient company in Montalcino created in the 1950s by grandfather Giuseppe Cencioni, one of the founders of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium.
Located a few kilometres from the town center of Montalcino at about 350 meters a.s.l., overlooking the Val d’Orcia.
A total area of 50 Ha, of which 9 Ha of Sangiovese vineyards and 7 Ha of olive groves.

vineyards Patrizia Cencioni

THE WINES
With the steel vats at controlled temperatures, the correct fermentation is guaranteed.

The slow aging of the wines takes place in oak barrels, with their refinement the elegance and character, already peculiar characteristics of each vintage, stand out also in the bottle.

Tradition, creativity and passion are the main ingredients for good Montalcino wine …

…discover more…take a look at their website 

I Vini di Veronelli: 3 Gold Stars to Palazzone

I vini di Veronelli 2025

I Vini di Veronelli – Guida Oro 2025:
3 Gold Stars to Palazzone‘s Orvieto Classico Superiore Campo del Guardiano 2021

This wine comes from the most beautiful piece of land on our estate, renown to generations of local farmers as Campo del Guardiano. Following bottling this Orvieto Classico Superiore is aged in Palazzone’s cellar for many months.
The complexity, the aromas and the freshness of the fruit remain intact for years proving the wine’s astonishing capacity to age beautifully.

Grapes: Procanico 50% Grechetto 30% Verdello, Malvasia 20%

TASTING NOTES
Intense straw color with sharp green reflections.
The nose is protound, retineds and prolonged; on the palate silky and well structured, vibrant and persistent.

Palazzone Vinibuoni Guide 2022
Palazzone vineyards landscape

In 1969 the Dubini family bought the property “Palazzone”, constructed by Cardinal Teodorico at the bidding of Pope Boniface VIII as a hostel for pilgrims on their way to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of 1300 A.D. Today after a restoration with respect for the noble architecture, “Palazzone” is a boutique hotel with elegant suites. The hilly portion of the land adjacent to Rocca Ripesena, with its superb view of Orvieto on its majestic crag, consisted of sedimentary soil and clay.
Angelo Dubini decided to plant 25 hectares to vines of varieties that he expected would make wine of great complexity and character. In 1982 his two sons, Giovanni and Lodovico, made the first small vintage from these grapes. In1988 their vintage was sufficient to justify the construction of a winery to process all their own grapes and also to organise and begin the commercial marketing of what is now “Palazzone” wine regarded as one of the most significant labels in Umbria.

“Palazzone has chosen for us. It has invested us with a responsability, with its stark beauty and the outstanding performance of which is equipped. It persuaded us that Orvieto was a challenge to overcome, a card to play in total contrast with the market and with fashion.
The vocation of the place, the history of the city and its region are the aspects that have given strength to our choices.
The family keeps our work together. We know that to live and work at Palazzone is a privilege, and this feeling becomes a certainty when things get tough.
We love the idea that the profile of a white wine from central Italy can be developed: graceful yet incisive, Mediterranean and at the same time with a closed structure.
Our conception of the wine is intimately linked to the vineyard, only from there we can get out the real satisfactions, those that remain.
The grapes from Orvieto do not have the solar expressiveness of some “easy” grapes and so their margins of improvement are not so immediate, so the work in the vineyard relies on continuity rather than miraculous choices.
We too have wanted to try the temptation of an “important” red, therefore, the Armaleo was born, which will certainly remain a beautiful experience, from which we have learned, however, that to remain attached to our territory, the indigenous grapes are the primary goal.
For this reason we will invest our energies on Sangiovese, knowing that the journey will be challenging as it is to dedicate to the Orvieto.
But being at Palazzone means facing difficult challenges, it seems the only way to reward the place we chose.”

Palazzone

Palazzone
Palazzone vineyards
Palazzone vineyards
Palazzone vineyards

PALAZZONE IS UNIQUE

Unique in the land: Unique for the combination of clays and the rocks that constitute the soil of the 24 hectares of our vineyards; a stratification of ancient seabeds, rivers and centuries of Etruscan history.

Unique in the grapes: Unique in the particular union of our traditional varieties. each with its distinctive character.
Unique in the craftsmanship: Unique in the creative and productive methods, in the pursuit of quality and with margin for personal interpretation.
Unique in the longevity: Unique because we are “Wine Artisans.” Years of experience and commitment have taught us to further the powers of our land to bring forth age worthy wines.

More info?
Take a look at their website

Vitae 2025: award for Masseria Cuturi

Vtae 2025: award for Masseria Cuturi: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded their Monte Diavoli 2020 with 4 Viti.

Vitae 2025: award for Masseria Cuturi

Primitivo di Manduria:  the flagship wine of Masseria Cuturi.

Monte Diavoli and Chidro represent a selection of Primitivo, aged in wood and in bottle, to enhance complexity and elegance.

Monte Diavoli, what’s in the name?

Monte Diavoli: Monte Diavoli Is a rocky formation that stands isolated in the middle of a vast flat area dominated by the Mediterranean Macchia. In the past it was the place where the Messapi kept the sacred fire of the rites of fertility. Today as then it is a mysterious and fascinating place.

Masseria Cuturi…since 1881

We are talking about a family, originally from Veneto managing this beautiful estate in Puglia which includes a skilfully renovated farmhouse and many hectares of land. Among the woods, olive trees and vineyards. The Rossi-Chauvenets acquire a reality full of history. The farm, located in Manduria, was founded in 1881 and for centuries belonged to the Schiavoni family. It seems that the origin of Primitivo in the Mandurian land started precisely from Cuturi. Don Tommaso Schiavoni Tafuri married Countess Bianca Sabini of Altamura who brought Primitivo cuttings to these parts. This variety adapted very well to these soils and this climate and thus the famous Apulian wine was born.

view masseria cuturi vineyards

The current vineyard is about 40 hectares and is particularly fertile thanks to the organic substance contained in the soils and the water of the Chidro River that flows there.

Masseria Cuturi emphasizes sustainable and organic farming practices to maintain the quality of their wines and preserve the environment. For the wines they use renewable energy, lighter bottles, and corks obtained from renewable raw materials derived from sugar cane.

The vinification of the best grapes today takes place within the Masseria, a few steps from the vineyards that generated them.

This proximity allows them to follow the maturation curve of each single particle with timeliness and precision. The cellar is made up of small tanks to obtain the micro-vinification of each single plot.
They use the aging in wood in moderation to enhance the natural characteristics of our wines. Bottling takes place in the cellar

Discover more about Masseria Cuturi by clicking on the button heebelow