This is an historic estate in ‘Grand Cru’ Tuscany.
Located in the revered ‘Concha d’Oro’, west of the village of Panzano, this awe-inspiring estate has been in the Di Napoli family since 1739. In 1965, when Alceo di Napoli inherited the estate, he planted the first vineyards and until 1975 sold most of the grapes to the Antinori family. When Alceo decided to begin making his own Chianti Classico he turned to his friend and technical director at Antinori, Giacomo Tachis, for guidance. (He was the creator of Sassicaia, Tignanello & Solaia). Sammarco was created out of this collaboration, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Sangiovese, it was one of the first ‘Super-Tuscans’ and an inspiration for the next generation of winemakers.
Since 1991, after Alceo’s death, his children Luca and Maurizia have built upon his legacy. The 125ha estate (32ha under vine) have been fully converted to biodynamic practices producing very low yields of remarkably intense fruit, fermented in concrete tank and terra-cotta amphorae. The family history and calibre of wines has justifiably earned Castello dei Rampolla a reputation as iconic. As renowned wine critic Antonio Galloni describes the estate:
‘The Di Napoli family has been making stunning wines for a while, but in recent years quality has gone into the stratosphere, a rarified place where words feel utterly useless in describing just how profound and magical these elixirs are.’
These are wines of true distinction to be enjoyed on those very special occasions.
