Podere Il Castellaccio Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 2023

Podere Il Castellaccio 2023, Bolgheri in its own right

In this Bolgheri Rosso Superiore, Cabernet Franc meets an ancient Tuscan grape, Pugnitello, on the slopes of Segalari. What holds my attention here is the harmony between this precise origin, organic viticulture, and aging shared between wood and amphorae. If you're looking for a red tied to its landscape and shaped with patience, this bottle deserves a place at your table.

Segalari, between hillside and Tuscan memory

Podere Il Castellaccio is located in Bolgheri, in Tuscany, on the Segalari hill. In the 1960s, Alessandro Scappini's grandfather had already chosen this site, convinced of its potential. Today, Alessandro is reviving the indigenous vines planted by his ancestor. The estate farms its grapes according to the principles of organic agriculture, on soils rich in schist and marl. This 2023 falls under the DOC Bolgheri Superiore appellation and blends 95% Cabernet Franc with 5% Pugnitello: a French grape paired with a historic Tuscan variety.

Fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts, in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Maceration with the skins lasts between 45 and 50 days, then the wine spends twelve months in French oak barrels and twelve more in amphorae. Finally, it rests six months in bottle before release. I prefer to be precise about the tasting: the available information does not describe the color, any particular aromas, or the flavors on the palate. So I won't attribute fruit or spice notes that are not documented. The announced profile places it at 6 out of 9 on the fruity-spicy scale, 6 out of 9 for oak influence, and 5 out of 9 for body. These benchmarks suggest a balance across several dimensions, without replacing a true detailed tasting note.

At the table, with dishes of character

I would serve it with game, roasted white meat, charcuterie, or red meat, the pairings suggested for this wine. The choice depends on the meal: a plate of charcuterie for a simple tasting, or a game dish to give it a fuller table. Take the time to let it open up and follow its evolution in the glass, without expecting precise aromas that the sources do not confirm. Its long maturation, between barrel, amphora, and bottle, already offers a thread to follow during tasting. If you pass through Bolgheri or want to recapture its spirit at home, this 2023 is a bottle to share calmly, around a meal that leaves the wine its place.