“Nibbio della Sala” Umbria IGT 2021 · 3 bottles in OWC

Castello della Sala | Antinori | Umbria
Marchesi Antinori S.p.A. | Piazza Antinori 3 | IT 50123 Firenze

10080921 · 2,25 l · 437,78 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping2 units available
Limitation of 1 articles per customer

High above the Umbrian hills, where the shadows of Monte Nibbio cast their shadow over the ancient walls of the Castello della Sala, a bird of prey circles over a dream that has been decades in the making. Nibbio – the red kite – gave this mountain its name, and today the most ambitious white wine in the entire Antinori empire bears the same name as the majestic bird of prey that has watched over this spectacular landscape for centuries. It is the story of a man and his vision: Renzo Cotarella, winemaker and CEO of Antinori, was born here in Umbria and for decades cherished a dream that bordered on obsession. While the world celebrated Antinori's Tuscan red wine legends, Renzo saw something else – a terroir on Monte Nibbio that could produce the best white wine in Italy. A bold claim for a region that stands in the shadow of famous Tuscany, but Renzo had to prove it. Not only to himself, but also to Piero Antinori, who remained sceptical for years until he finally capitulated and even gave Nibbio his personal signature as the only wine of the entire Antinori dynasty.

The Chardonnay vines for this exceptional wine thrive on a tiny vineyard of barely more than one hectare at an altitude of 520 metres, in a cool north-easterly exposure and surrounded by dense forests that envelop the microclimate like a natural protective mantle. Here, where limestone-rich soils full of fossilised sea shells tell the geological history of Umbria, grapes are produced with a concentration and elegance that Renzo saw in his mind's eye for decades. The vinification follows a philosophy inspired by the takeover of the Friulian winery Jermann: hand-picked grapes in the early hours of the morning, two hours of cold maceration at 10°C, spontaneous fermentation in new French barriques, where both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place. The wine matures for six months on the fine lees before reaching its final perfection in the bottle for a further 30 months – a patience that is only applied to true masterpieces.

Nibbio della Sala 2021 shines in bright straw yellow with greenish reflections and unfolds a bouquet of hypnotic complexity: flint and white apricots combine with green pears, hazelnuts and lemon peel, while notes of green tea and subtly toasted wood create an aromatic symphony reminiscent of the grandeur of Burgundian masterpieces. Hints of cold candle wax, lime and wet stone tell the story of a terroir that unashamedly reveals its mineral soul. A wine of monumental structure and simultaneous finesse unfolds on the palate: full-bodied yet elegant, with that vibrant acidity that makes great white wines immortal. Layers of creamy peach and melon are interspersed with salty minerals, hints of saffron and a touch of campfire ash, while silky tannins and crystalline precision lead to a final that lingers for minutes, telling the story of a bird of prey, a mountain and a dream that finally came true. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with greenish reflections, sparkling. Great and complex nose of cold candle wax, lime, lime, wet stone, fine wood and subtle yellow fruit in the background, full of finesse and inviting. Great tension and race on the palate, salty, clear and precise, comes in many layers, harmonious and balanced, with an elegant finish and enormous length. A masterpiece!" Falstaff