Marchese Antinori 2019 Orvieto Classico Superiore, San Giovanni della Sala

Antinori's Castello della Sala castle is located approximately ten miles from the city of Orvieto and is a fine example of medieval military architecture. The estate enjoys an ideal micro-climate for the production of wines which require cooler than average temperatures, in particular white wines. The first vintage of the Castello della Sala Orvieto Classico was 1990. In 1997 the wine became an Orvieto DOC Classico Superiore, a new appellation category established in that year. The "Superiore" category specifies that yields per acre in the vineyard must be lower than those of a normal Orvieto Classico, that the grapes can only be picked when in an advanced state of ripeness.

Castello della Sala and is a blend of indigenous varieties, Grechetto, Procanico with Pinot Blanc and Viognier; a new interpretation of the Orvieto Classico appellation. First the grapes are cold soaked on the skins for up to 6 hours then gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks, temperature controlled. The wine was left to age on lees for several months before bottling to add texture and nuance.

San Giovanni della Sala is a pale straw yellow color with greenish highlights. Its nose is fresh and intense with crispy notes of apricots and peaches that introduce tropical hints of ripe pineapples. The palate is fruity and mouth-filling, sustained by bright freshness and minerality that give the wine sapidity and a lengthy finish.