“Romito” Rosso Toscana IGT 2019

Castello Romitorio | Tuscany
Soc. Agr. Castello Romitorio srl. | Loc. Romitorio 279 I IT 53024 Montalcino

29653219 · 0,75 l · 105,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available

In 1987, Sandro Chia drew a pencil sketch: a Roman centurion in the foreground, the castle in the background. The centurion as a symbol of transience, the castle as a symbol of eternity. He called the drawing "Romito del Romitorio" – the hermit of the Romitorio. And made it the label for the first wine that Castello Romitorio ever produced. Thirty-two years and many vintages later, Filippo Chia decided to rethink the Romito. Until 2018, it was a blend – sangiovese, Cabernet and Canaiolo. Then they reached deeper: Petit Verdot has been growing in the vineyards of Tenuta Ghiaccio Forte in Maremma since then, which Sandro Chia planted in the early 2000s. Soils of Pliocene origin – red clays and gravel at 170 metres. During the day, the Tyrrhenian Sea regulates the heat, while continental currents from the extinct Monte Amiata cool the evenings. A terroir made for a grape variety that is difficult to tame elsewhere. The hand-picked grapes travel to Montalcino, where they are selected and fermented in concrete vats. Fourteen months of ageing in semi-new French tonneaux, bottled unfiltered.

Deep ruby red colour. Lavender, wild violets, pomegranate and a hint of tangerine zest on the nose – intense, but with unexpected grace. The flavour is full-bodied and powerful, with velvety tannins, a juicy structure and a long, spicy final. A wine that rewards patience – and understands why the centurion on the label looks proud rather than sad. SUPERIORE.DE

"Impenetrable ruby red colour. Ripe plum, wet earth and ethereal notes on the nose. Concentrated and powerful on the palate, impressive tannin structure, animating acidity, spicy, long final, great ageing potential." Falstaff

"Deep, ashy blackberries, wet leaves and graphite on the nose follow through to a properly structured palate with a full body. Tannins are nicely chewy here, delivering a fresh and firm backbone to the fruit. Good length to close." James Suckling

"The 2019 Romito opens to a dark and concentrated appearance. The wine is packed tight with black fruit, but there is a delicate framing of crushed limestone, spice and flint that catch your attention. The wine unfolds over the senses in tight little blocks, one showing dark cherry, one showing crushed stone, one showing soft spice and so forth. The finish is bright, almost peppery. This is a wine I warmly recommend." Wine Advocate