"I’d prefer two casks of wine rather than eight shirts.” If that sentiment resonates with you, here’s a fun fact. Those are Michaelangelo’s words. THE Michaelangelo. In the 16th century, what is now the Nittardi Estate belonged to the Renaissance artist, and from there he wrote those words in a letter to his nephew Lionardo while he was finishing the Sistine Chapel.
There is much more history to the estate, where today’s offer, the 2019 Casanuova Di Nattardi Vigna Doghessa is produced. While the history is fascinating—Michaelangelo used to send wine made from the estate each year to the Pope—we all know history doesn’t equate to quality wine. But, excellent vineyards and a seasoned, celebrated, talented winemaker? Now we’re talking good wine. Casauova Di Nattardi is blessed to have both.
The Canali Femfert family took over the Nittardi property in 1981. In the early 90s, they brought on consultant winemaker Carlo Ferrini who supervises all the vineyards and winemaking at Nittardi. He earned the title Enologist of the Year by both the Associazione Italiana Sommelier in 2003 and Gambero Rosso in 2000. In 2008, Wine Enthusiast proclaimed him Winemaker of the Year.
In the introductory speech given before presenting Ferrini with his Wine Enthusiast award, it was noted that although he works with many of Italy’s most renowned estates, he never loses sight of “the individual characteristics of a specific region, a specific territory, or a specific vineyard.”
From the organic Castellina vineyard on a south-facing hill in Siena, Ferrini is able to pull out the minerality and freshness that the soil full of schist stones imbues in this 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico. The wine’s intense fruit character has the tell-tale cherry of a Chianti, plus exotic spice. It’s a beautiful wine that James Suckling says is “slightly chewy” and bestows 93 points upon. The excellent tannic structure of the wine means it will age gracefully.
There’s always room in the wine cellar, or wherever you store your wine, for quality Chianti Classico, particularly when excellently priced and from the 2019 vintage that Vinous say produced wines that “soar with aromatic intensity and show fine tannins with terrific depth, all with medium-bodied structure.” BHW has this wine from one of Italy’s most celebrated winemakers for 27% off and under $35! We bet Michaelangelo would choose at least two bottles of this Tuscan beauty over a bunch of shirts any day!
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