Castello dei Rampolla

Maurizia di Napoli Rampolla and her brother Luca refer to their strategy of natural viticulture as "gentle agriculture". The very successful Chianti Classico with a clean fruity bouquet, precise taste and firm tannin is a strictly limited high pleasure every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rampolla's 2017 Chianti Classico is a powerful, dense wine that shows all of the natural richness of the year. Super-ripe dark cherry, spice, licorice, new leather and lavender give the 2017 its decidedly flamboyant personality. I would prefer to give the 2017 a few years in bottle, but there is plenty to look forward to. Today, the Chianti Classico is youthfully exuberant and full of promise. Sadly, production is down by 50% because of frost in May, hail in August and then dehydration on the vine later that month." Vinous

Top-class red wine from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with unmistakable Tuscan roots shines with ripe fruit bouquet and aromas of green pepper, leather and a hint of herbal spice. The taste is solid, in which the crunchy tannin is excellently integrated into the powerful structure. A grandiose pleasure that spreads far and wide and increases into the long finale. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Sammarco is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. Like with the d'Alceo, this hot vintage does not deliver the same soaring intensity and complexity as seen in past years. It shows added softness and succulence instead. The bouquet is driven by sweet fruit and dried berry aromas that underline the warm vintage. Allspice, clove and more sweet fruit appear on the close." Robert Parker

"Very perfumed with black currant and cassis bush character. Medium to full body, fine and chewy tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Still a little tight but fun to taste now." James Suckling

Intense ruby with a slight violet hue. In the nose a ripe fruity bouquet with currants, blackberries and cherries. Spicy aromas of leather and some paprika. Very juicy with salty-mineral undertones and a grippy tannin and good length. A complex Tuscan, as he says in the book. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dense ruby. Opened with notes of beetroot and tobacco, then plums, elderberries and dark currants. Salty and juicy on the palate, shows ripe, dark berry fruit, salty in the medium course and rich depth, hearty, gripping tannin, also has beautiful flow, earthy finish, completely different from D'Alceo, but in his way very impressive." (Place 11 / 100 "Best 100 under 100€) Falstaff

"The 2013 Sammarco is a stunning wine. Super-expressive aromatics make a strong opening statement in a wine endowed with myriad dimensions of nuance and complexity. The 2013 is deep and fleshy, with generous fruit, beautifully integrated tannins and exceptional finesse. Readers should not plan on opening a bottle of this any time soon, though, as it seems likely to age at a glacial pace." Antonio Galloni

"Wines from the Castello dei Rampolla property show an impressive and especially chiseled quality that gives them a very direct and immediate quality. These are frank and honest wines that stay true to the identity set forth years ago at this historic estate. They stay the course, so to speak. The 2013 Sammarco is Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese and Merlot that tastes nothing like the many blended Bordeaux-inspired reds you find in this part of Italy. Instead, the wine is all-Tuscan in its appeal, with sun-drenched cherry, Mediterranean herb and a pretty balsam note that recalls the thick underbrush and woods of the Chianti Classico countryside. This vintage soars in intensity and beauty." Robert Parker

"A complex wine with cherries, strawberries, black currants and hot stones. So clean and precise. Full body, firm tannins, high acidity and a long and fresh finish. Tight. Still needs some time." James Suckling

"A polished, blackberry- and black currant–infused red, with accents of wild herbs and spice, this is both saturated, intense and racy. All the elements are in the correct proportions, this just needs time to express itself fully." Wine Spectator

Top-class red wine from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with unmistakable Tuscan roots shines with ripe fruit bouquet and aromas of green pepper, leather and a hint of herbal spice. The taste is solid, in which the crunchy tannin is excellently integrated into the powerful structure. A grandiose pleasure that spreads far and wide and increases into the long finale. SUPERIORE.DE

"The violet, blackberry and sandalwood character is impressive. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Linear and structured." James Suckling

"The 2014 Sammarco is distinctly savory and nervous in this vintage, both reflections of the cool growing season that favored Cabernet Sauvignon over the other varieties in the blend. Sweet tobacco, grilled herbs, red cherry, menthol and dried flowers struggle to fully emerge, as the 2014 remains a touch compact today. Hints of rose petal and mint add a touch of freshness to this mid-weight, yet deeply expressive Sammarco. The 2014 is going to need time to fully emerge, but I expect it will always be a relatively understated Sammarco." Antonio Galloni

"The 2014 Sammarco was bottled in August and will be released in January 2019. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese. At this young stage, the wine already offers an impressive array of complex aromas with dark berry, spice and grilled herb neatly overlapping. Those tones are delivered with perfume-like grace and intensity. This vintage is streamlined and compact in terms of mouthfeel, and those youthful tannins remind us that this wine will award the best results to those who have the patience to wait." Robert Parker

Vigna d'Alceo '09 is a Cabernet Sauvignon with a low proportion of Petit Verdot of the extra class. The bouquet is rich, clean and fruity. Impressive its harmony, powerful and yet with a lot of elegance. A perfectly shaped drop with the potential to increase in value! SUPERIORE.DE

"A super generous red with spices, meat and berry character. Full body with round and velvety tannins. Rich and generous. Gorgeous wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon and petite verdot." James Suckling

"Bright, rich ruby violet. Opened in the nose with smoky-mineral notes, then plenty of plump fruit, inviting for elderberries and blackberries. It shows itself polished on the palate, opens with a lot of finely woven, rich tannin, builds up for a long time, a lot of juicy fruit, rich pressure in the finale." Falstaff

"The 2009 D'Alceo is quite a bit firmer and more structured than the Sammarco. An exotic melange of dark cherries, plums, grilled herbs, cassis and new leather emerges from the glass, backed up by tons of structure. Over the last few months, the 2009 d'Alceo has softened a bit, releasing expressive, floral aromatics and brighter shades of fruit. This is a wonderfully deep, resonant d'Alceo. The 2009 will drink well with minimum cellaring within the context of prior vintages. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Judging by this effort, I would say Rampolla nailed the vintage." Antonio Galloni

One of the top wines of the region, which has been undisputed for decades. With its French elegance and international flair, it convincingly represents above all its Chianti terroir. Concentrated colour, wide, complex scent that changes from sweet berry aromas to delicate spicy clove and cinnamon nuances and finally to very fresh menthol accents. Almost creamy in its soft nature, the full-bodied, excessive taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2011 D'Alceo is a stunning blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Petit Verdot. The bouquet is perfumed and enticing with dark rose, cherry fruit, spice, leather, cola, grilled herb and so much more. Fruit comes from a six-hectare single vineyard (whereas fruit for the Sanmarco represents a special selection from various vineyards.) The intensity and purity is what sets this wine part. Both are impeccable. In the mouth, D'Alceo feels long, linear and meaningful. Castello dei Rampolla practices biodynamic farming." Robert Parker

"The 2011 d'Alceo is fascinating to taste next to the Sammarco, as it is much more open-knit, silky and expressive. Cherry jam, pomegranate, spice and new leather flesh out in the glass. The integration of fruit, tannin and acidity is further along than in the Sammarco. The 2011 d'Alceo should open up pretty early, which should be welcome news to readers cellaring some of the more tannic vintages. I expect the 2011 will provide readers with a long drinking window of pure pleasure." Antonio Galloni

"This is very firm and dense with fantastic structure and a superb depth of fruit and silky tannins. Full body showing a core of ripe fruit featuring currants and blackberries. Minerals and fresh mushrooms to add." James Suckling

Every year, D'Alceo is a stunningly attractive wine that represents its Chianti terroir with French elegance and international flair. Concentrated colour, wide, complex scent that changes from sweet berry aromas to delicate spicy clove and cinnamon nuances and finally to very fresh menthol accents. Almost creamy in its soft nature, the full-bodied, excessive taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fruit for this wine always comes from the same vineyard site, and production was heavily reduced in this difficult vintage. If an average year sees 13,000 bottles made, only 6,200 bottles were made of the 2014 d'Alceo. This wine shows beautiful brightness and linearity with a polished, almost glossy texture that feels like silk on the palate. The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller part Petit Verdot. It offers a mid-weight texture with balanced tannins and acidity to seal the deal." Robert Parker

"Wonderful aromas of crushed raspberries, blueberries and violets follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Joyful 2014!" James Suckling

"The 2014 d'Alceo is more in line with previous years than Sammarco. Deep, unctuous and super-powerful, the 2014 exudes richness and textural intensity from the very first taste. Readers will have to give the 2014 at least a few years in bottle to help some of the baby fat meld away. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, sage, mint and lavender are some of the many notes that start to emerge as the wine sits in the glass. This is a terrific effort for the vintage." Antonio Galloni

One of the top wines of the region, which has been undisputed for decades. With its French elegance and international flair, it convincingly represents above all its Chianti terroir. Concentrated colour, wide, complex scent that changes from sweet berry aromas to delicate spicy clove and cinnamon nuances and finally to very fresh menthol accents. Almost creamy in its soft nature, the full-bodied, excessive taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 d'Alceo is sweet, round and enveloping. Silky tannins give the 2012 much of its shape, while adding to the wine's appeal. Plum, black cherry, menthol, licorice and sweet spices wrap around the fleshy, succulent finish. Like the Sammarco, d'Alceo is a bit restrained in this vintage." Antonio Galloni

"Fragrant and enticing with flower petal, dried black tea and berry aromas. Full to medium body, chewy tannins and a fruity finish. Needs to come together still." James Suckling

"A focused, balanced style, evoking pure cherry, raspberry, mineral and floral aromas and flavors, this is elegant and fluid yet dense and well structured, ending with lively acidity and dusty tannins. The finish goes on and on." Wine Spectator

Dark, rich ruby violet. In the nose some lilac, elderberry and cassis. Well structured with opulent fruit, finely woven tannin and then an almost floating and never-ending finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Readers should do whatever they can to get their hands on a few bottles of the 2013 d'Alceo. Seamless and voluptuous in the glass, it is an epic wine that embodies all the qualities that make these terraced vineyards in Panzano so special. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, plum, licorice and spice meld together in the glass, but it is the wine's textural intensity that elevates it into the realm of the profound. The 2013 has been nothing short of moving on the two occasions I tasted it recently." Antonio Galloni

"Strawberry, plums, chocolate and green pepper frame this beautiful red. So much black currant too. Full-bodied with round, mouth-coating tannins. So much going on here." James Suckling

"Made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2013 d'Alceo shows an inky dark appearance with impenetrable color saturation. This is another gorgeous wine from an estate I admire deeply. The fruit intensity peels off this wine with elegance, power and intensity. With similar momentum, the wine glides clear over the palate with silky and long intensity. There are some pungent or volatile notes (similar to what you find in the other wines), but they are a plus, not a minus. They give support and intensity to the wine's persuasive aromatic performance. This wine needs more time to unwind in the cellar." Robert Parker

"Aromas of pine, wild rosemary, black currant, iron and tar hold court in this dense, inky red. The tannins run roughshod on the finish, so cellar or tame with grilled beef or lamb." Wine Spectator

Vigna d'Alceo '09 is a Cabernet Sauvignon with a low proportion of Petit Verdot of the extra class. The bouquet is rich, clean and fruity. Impressive its harmony, powerful and yet with a lot of elegance. A perfectly shaped drop with the potential to increase in value! SUPERIORE.DE

"A super generous red with spices, meat and berry character. Full body with round and velvety tannins. Rich and generous. Gorgeous wine. A blend of cabernet sauivgnon and petite verdot. Much better in 2015 when the tannins come together." James Suckling

"Bright, rich ruby violet. Opened in the nose with smoky-mineral notes, then plenty of plump fruit, inviting for elderberries and blackberries. It shows itself polished on the palate, opens with a lot of finely woven, rich tannin, builds up for a long time, a lot of juicy fruit, rich pressure in the finale." Falstaff

"The 2009 D'Alceo is quite a bit firmer and more structured than the Sammarco. An exotic melange of dark cherries, plums, grilled herbs, cassis and new leather emerges from the glass, backed up by tons of structure. Over the last few months, the 2009 d'Alceo has softened a bit, releasing expressive, floral aromatics and brighter shades of fruit. This is a wonderfully deep, resonant d'Alceo. The 2009 will drink well with minimum cellaring within the context of prior vintages. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Judging by this effort, I would say Rampolla nailed the vintage." Antonio Galloni

Dark, rich ruby violet. In the nose some lilac, elderberry and cassis. Well structured with opulent fruit, finely woven tannin and then an almost floating and never-ending finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Readers should do whatever they can to get their hands on a few bottles of the 2013 d'Alceo. Seamless and voluptuous in the glass, it is an epic wine that embodies all the qualities that make these terraced vineyards in Panzano so special. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, plum, licorice and spice meld together in the glass, but it is the wine's textural intensity that elevates it into the realm of the profound. The 2013 has been nothing short of moving on the two occasions I tasted it recently." Antonio Galloni

"Strawberry, plums, chocolate and green pepper frame this beautiful red. So much black currant too. Full-bodied with round, mouth-coating tannins. So much going on here." James Suckling

"Made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, the 2013 d'Alceo shows an inky dark appearance with impenetrable color saturation. This is another gorgeous wine from an estate I admire deeply. The fruit intensity peels off this wine with elegance, power and intensity. With similar momentum, the wine glides clear over the palate with silky and long intensity. There are some pungent or volatile notes (similar to what you find in the other wines), but they are a plus, not a minus. They give support and intensity to the wine's persuasive aromatic performance. This wine needs more time to unwind in the cellar." Robert Parker

"Aromas of pine, wild rosemary, black currant, iron and tar hold court in this dense, inky red. The tannins run roughshod on the finish, so cellar or tame with grilled beef or lamb." Wine Spectator