TN: 2016 Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGT

[Jason_L]

one of my alltime favorite wines from Italy and along with Il Carboniaone, I think the definitive Sangiovese style. no disrespect to the best Brunellos but these Chianti-based super-tuscans just have more personality! For those who seek out back vintages at auction, I’ve had I Sodis from the 03-07 range that are drinking very well at the moment

I like Il Carbonaione as well, but it scratches a different itch for me, and I tend to think of Cepparello, Montevertine and the Castellare as much softer/prettier (and visually much less dark in color), with Il Carbonaione being quite dense, tannic and brawny. I like both a lot, but I’m usually in the mood for one or the other, and would be more likely to want Carbonaione with beef (steak, short ribs), lamb, or a heavy pasta (ragu, Bolognese, tomato-based, etc.), whereas I’d be happy to drink an entire bottle of Cepparello or Castellare with pork, veal, or chicken (or even sitting on a patio without any food at all).

Thanks for the perspective. For me, it’s about where I catch them in their development. I’ve been shocked at how concentrated and structured certain vintages of I Sodi are and how lacy and acidic some Carboniaones have been. In either case, I’m usually pretty happy with selection!