"Castagnino"

Our wines

"Castagnino"

Syrah Cortona DOC

We like to think of Castagnino as the younger brother (but just as loved and cared for) of our most representative wine, Il Castagno. Like all our wines, it is made only with Syrah grapes that have been grown in our vineyards in Cortona at a very low yield per hectare (50 quintals from 5000 vines). The grapes are carefully observed and selected throughout the vintage, and in particular before and during harvest, which usually takes place in the first half of September, somewhat earlier than the grapes used for Il Castagno and Cuculaia. All grapes are harvested exclusively by hand and placed in small 15 kg. perforated crates.

"Castagnino"

The grapes for this wine are collected intact and placed in steel tanks at controlled temperatures, where thanks to indigenous yeasts, alcoholic fermentation happens spontaneously.

Depending on the characteristics of the vintage and the quality of the grapes, with each parcel being vinified separately, each with its own schedules and methods, some of the grapes may be processed in whole bunches.

 

The maceration period of the hard skins lasts, on average, from one to two weeks, depending on the qualities inherent in the grapes. The malolactic fermentation of the first-pressed must (we never use the juices obtained from the pressing of the marc for our wines) also takes place spontaneously, without inoculating it with bacteria. There then follows a short period of about six months of refinement on the noble lees in our old cement barrels, which have been finely restored by artisan friends.

 

Castagnino grew out of the desire to explore the potential of the Syrah grape in Cortona in all its versions. Our goal was to produce a Syrah whose characteristics were entirely different from the most representative wine of the estate, Il Castagno, our “big brother,” and from our cru, Cuculaia. To achieve this, we harvest the grapes a little earlier than the ones we use for our other red Syrahs. Our aim was to craft a wine that focuses on freshness and acidity rather than power and a concentration of sugars and extracts. To this end, Castagnino does not age in wood casks but only in cement barrels.

 

Both periods, the one spent macerating on the skins and that spent aging in casks and in bottles, are deliberately on the briefer end of the spectrum. The wine's somewhat irreverent and jaunty profile and its disheveled character are exactly what I wanted to achieve - and what I enjoy most about it. And then there are its explosive aromas and crisp tannins… All this goes to show that simplicity, immediacy, and the bare essentials can produce greatness. The nakedness of this Syrah is, to me, fascinating.

Both periods, the one spent macerating on the skins and that spent aging in casks and in bottles, are deliberately on the briefer end of the spectrum. The wine's somewhat irreverent and jaunty profile and its disheveled character are exactly what I wanted to achieve - and what I enjoy most about it.

 

And then there are its explosive aromas and crisp tannins… All this goes to show that simplicity, immediacy, and the bare essentials can produce greatness. The nakedness of this Syrah is, to me, fascinating.

Ernesto Gentili

Delicatamente fruttato e floreale nei profumi, ha un profilo semplice ma registrato con precisione su una struttura serrata e non priva di energia

Ernesto Gentili

Wine Ratings

“Castagnino”

An expression of terroir

This wine is intended to be a friendly and drinkable Syrah but never banal or bland. As with all our wines, a careful selection of raw materials follows strict criteria. This wine, like our others, also has a soul. In addition to being a truly Tuscan wine, it is also deeply Cortonese: it is a faithful and original expression of its terroir; it's the result of simple, ethical and eco-friendly growing and winemaking practices; it's the perfect example of a wine produced under the banner of “technologically-driven craftsmanship.”

Data sheet

Grapes

100% Syrah

Yield per hectare

50 quintals from 5000 plants

Annual production

15.000 bottles

Available formats

750 ml / 1.500 ml

Color

Clear, ruby red

Perfumes

Fresh, floral, with hints of red berries on the nose, cherries, wild blackberries, plum, and juniper berries. In the mouth, it's flavorful, fragrant.

Alcoholic degree

14%

Service temperatures

15-16°

"Castagnino" - Reviews

I Vini di Veronelli

Luigi Veronelli

4 GRAPPOLI

Rubino. Profuma di ciliegie e prugne, pepe e mix floreale. Sorso vigoroso e tannino integrato, delineano un gusto già ben apprezzabile.

Ernesto Gentili

Wine Ratings

87/100

Delicatamente fruttato e floreale nei profumi, ha un profilo semplice ma registrato con precisione su una struttura serrata e non priva di energia; il finale si alleggerisce ma l'insieme è senza dubbio piacevole.

James Suckling

Wine Ratings

94/100

This is rich and decadent with dark fruits, spice and sweet tobacco as well as tea and smoked meat. Full body, round tannins and a flavorful finish.

Vinous

by Antonio Galloni

89/100

Il Castagnino is a fruity, easygoing wine in this range from Fabrizio Dionisio. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mint, spice and licorice are front and center. This juicy, uncomplicated Syrah is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years.

Wine Advocat

88+/100

The Cortona Syrah Castagnino is the self-proclaimed "little brother" of the Syrah Castagno. This wine is made from a broader selection of fruit and is released within a year of the harvest more or less. It pours from the bottle with dark intensity and offers lush primary aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and subtle spice. This is a soft and rich wine to drink at outdoor barbecues and easy home dinners.

Wine Spectator

89/100

This rich red boasts blackberry, black cherry and pepper flavors, with a serious backbone that emerges as this glides to a lingering conclusion.

Stephen Tanzer's

International Wine Cellars

90/100

Deep ruby-purple. Smoky violet and dark plum on the bright nose. Fresh and sweet in the mouth, with dark plum and berry flavors carrying nicely through a smooth, long finish. Very well done.

Vini d'Italia

Gambero Rosso

2 BICCHIERI

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I Vini di Veronelli

Luigi Veronelli

89/100 - 2 Stelle

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Ristoranti e Vini d'Italia

L'Espresso

4 Bottoglie

-

Wine Enthusiast

87/100

Luca Maroni

I Migliori Vini Italiani

93/100

-

AIS

Associazione Italiana Sommelier

3 VITI

-

Falstaff

90/100

-

Wine Enthusiast

87/100

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Australia Waterfront

90/100

-

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Silver Medal

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DoctorWine

by Daniele Cernilli

89/100

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Rosa del Castagno

Syrah Rosato Toscana IGT

Linfa

Syrah Cortona DOC