2019 Cervaro dell Sala, Castello della Sala
Castello della Sala is arguably Italy's most famous white wine estate with the fossil rich soil found here perfect for producing top quality Chardonnay. This beautiful medieval estate run by Marchesi Antinori is located on a hilltop near Orvieto in Umbria, near the Tuscan border. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night.
"This stunning edition shows orchard fruit, honey and flinty notes. The Chardonnay ferments in neutral barrique from September to February, and fine-grained wood is prioritized to render a reductive winemaking technique to further preserve aromatic intensity. This mid-weight and age-worthy white is redolent of Golden Delicious apple, acacia flower and tropical fruit. Drink 2022-2035." Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate