Product Description
‘EXOTIC, CAPTIVATING’ TUSCAN RED FROM CASTELVECCHIO!
“My love of Italians wines is multifaceted and one of those facets is the myriad of wonderfully unique indigenous varietals that proliferate the Italian peninsula. Today we have a fantastic example of one of those unique Italian grapes that is like noting you have enjoyed before. This serious little Tuscan red from Castelvecchio is 100% Canaiolo, a little known grape variety that is grown throughout central Italy, particularly in Chianti. It exhibits wonderful freshness and intensity without sacrificing structure, just entering its prime drinking window now. Although it typically takes a back seat to Sangiovese, you can actually find Canaiolo in many bottles of Chianti! This Tuscan gem has not only received 93 points from Antonio Galloni but is a superb value at under $17 a bottle (32% less than the release price)! With juicy red berries and juniper, it pairs well with red meat. Just the perfect wine to bring to a summer BBQ! Cheers!” – Lance Montalto, The Wine House
FROM THE WINERY
About ‘Numero Otto’
Blend: 100% Black Canaiolo grapes.
Description: Canaiolo has always been an underestimated grape variety, actually in its simplicity it astonishes by its freshness, intensity and firm structure, yet it is not too intrusive compared to the immediate drinkability and pleasure. Numero 8 is a niche product since harvest 2003. The producer is trying to explain the Tuscan territory through its autoctonous vines that characterize the immense potentiality and diversity of it. Ageing in barriques for 8 months and further refinement in bottle.
Color: Ruby red.
Bouquet: Very fruity, variegated, fresh and floral with aromas of violet.
Taste: Medium-bodied. Tannic structure with light balsamic hints and smooth and silky tannins, not aggressive nor intrusive, characteristics of this particular wine.
Grapes from our vineyards: Canaiolo Lombardi – Vineyard of 40 years.
The sign Numero 8 is related to 4 factors: it is the eighth wine of Castelvecchio, it has aged for eight months in barriques, Otto is the name of Filippo’s Golden Retriever and finally, 8, is the infinity symbol and relates to the infinite emotions that each wine is able to transmit. The original label has been elaborated on a first design of the Florentine artist and restorer Chiara Piani.
The Vineyards
The Castelvecchio farm is in San Pancrazio in the municipality of San Casciano Val di Pesa, 20 km from Florence, in Chianti DOCG-Denomination controlled and guarantee as production area properly as Chianti Colli Fiorentini -Florentine hills. The condition of the soil is Pliocene in origin. It is characterized mainly by a kind of pebbly limestone rich in marl, and by sandstone, which offer a good agronomic fertility and basic freshness.
Since 1960 the farm has 73 hectares of land, 30 of which are vineyards, and 15 olive groves. As since 1995 18 hectares of new specialized vineyards have been replanted, as they are almost located on hillsides: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes with south-eastern exposure ,while on the north-west facing slopes the Canaiolo nero, Merlot, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti are grown. The wine cellars, situated beneath the villa, have steel vats for the vinification process, oak casks for ageing and an ideal atmosphere for refining wines. The quality of wines derives mostly from the excellent grapes that arrive in the cellar, obtained through passion and continuous care for our vineyards as a guarantee for an exclusive product. The production line aims to underline the character and originality of each wine.
History
Historically, Castelvecchio was one of the most ancient and important holdings of the Cavalcanti family. The name of the property can already be seen in a parchment from 1189, making note of a real estate transaction, and in which reference is made to a CastelVecchio (or Old Castle) in Val di Pesa.
