Podere Il Castellaccio Dinostro 2023

Dinostro 2023, the coastal Sangiovese from Castellaccio

In this Tuscan red, the Sangiovese grows on the Segalari hillsides, facing the sea and within the breezes of the Etruscan coast. What I remember most is the link between an emblematic grape, old vines and aging in large foudres, which keeps the fruit at the center without erasing the work of the wood.

Segalari, between schist and sea

The Dinostro is produced by Podere Il Castellaccio, in Castagneto Carducci, in the province of Livorno. The estate has belonged to the Scappini family since 1960; Alessandro took over its management in 2009. Today, the property grows vines and olives on the hills of Segalari, in a landscape facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. The estate comprises fifteen hectares divided among vines, olive groves and forest, as well as an area where horses are used to work the soil.

This 2023 vintage is a single-varietal Sangiovese, classified IGP Toscana. The plots lie between 100 and 160 meters of altitude, on schist soils. The vines, around fifty years old, are farmed organically. Here, long summers, mild winters and sunshine are accompanied by regular breezes from the sea, which contribute to the estate's microclimate. The grapes are harvested between late September and early October. Fermentation takes place in 20-hectoliter wooden foudres, followed by a maceration of several weeks with the skins. After racking, the wine spends twelve months in foudre, then six months in bottle before release.

The available information does not describe precise aromas; I therefore prefer not to attribute to it fruit or spice notes that are not documented. The announced profile places it midway between fruity and spicy, with a rather discreet presence of wood and a medium-intensity body. These markers give the image of a red that is balanced in style, without claiming to replace tasting the wine in the glass. Its appearance is that of a red wine, but no more detailed information on its color, nose or texture is provided.

At the table, simply and generously

I would serve it with red or white meats, charcuterie, or a risotto: pairings that follow the leads indicated for this wine without seeking to mask the Sangiovese. It can accompany a convivial meal where the bottle finds its place over the course of the dishes, rather than calling for a solemn occasion. If you enjoy Tuscan reds made from vines grown near the sea and aged in large wooden vessels, the Dinostro 2023 deserves a moment at your table. Serve it with a generous dish and take the time to form your own opinion of its balance.