At a glance

Producer

Castellare di Castellina

Region

Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Grape variety

Sangiovese (85%), Malvasia Nera (15%)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

Approximately US$60–90 per 750 ml, varying by market, provenance, and retailer

Tasting profile

Likely showing dark cherry and red-berry fruit, dried herbs, spice, and savory Tuscan earth, with oak-derived notes and a firm, polished structure.

Evolution: With bottle age, primary fruit should become more integrated and give way to dried cherry, leather, tobacco, forest-floor and balsamic nuances.

At peak: At maturity, expect layered savory and floral detail, resolved but present tannins, and a long, fresh finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high to high, providing freshness and balance

Tannins

Firm, fine-grained and age-supporting

Alcohol

Approximately 13.5–14.5% ABV; check the individual bottle label

Aging potential

High for a Toscana IGT red, supported by Sangiovese acidity and tannin, careful élevage, and the wine's premium positioning.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2049

Optimal window

2024 to 2052

Current status

Developing and approachable with decanting, but likely to benefit from further cellaring

Current condition

At about nine years from vintage, expect youthful-to-emerging maturity. Bottle condition and storage history are important; well-stored bottles should have substantial life ahead.

The 2017 vintage is generally warm and dry in Tuscany, so ripe fruit and firm structure are expected, though site and producer choices are important. The blend's substantial Sangiovese component contributes acidity and tannin, while Malvasia Nera adds aromatic breadth. For this premium wine, a 2028–2036 peak is a reasonable estimate, with sound bottles plausibly drinking well beyond that period.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted beef, lamb, bistecca alla fiorentina, game, braised short ribs, aged Pecorino, or mushroom dishes with herbs.

Serving

Serving temperature

16–18°C / 61–64°F

Decant

Yes (About 1 hour; taste periodically and extend to 2 hours if it remains closed) — Aeration can open the young fruit and savory aromas and help soften the firm structure. Pour gently if the bottle has sediment.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Castellare di Castellina is an estate producer in Chianti Classico. Publicly described estate approaches include attention to vineyard ecology and limiting reliance on chemical treatments, but specific 2017 production details for energy use, water conservation, packaging, and certification are not established in this assessment.

A moderate score reflects the potential environmental advantages of estate vineyard management and a relatively local production chain, balanced against the lack of verified certification and insufficient product-specific evidence on energy, water, and packaging. This is a cautious assessment rather than a claim of audited performance.