Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d'Alceo
Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d'Alceo:
[kahs-tehl-lo day (l)ram-pol-lah]
The first generation of Super-Tuscans— Sassicaia,
Ornellaia, and Solaia—seems to brand its prowess
with that signature “aia.” The Super-Tuscan
line only begins there, though. Several of the second
generation have taken a place right beside these legends,
with Castello dei Rampolla’s Sammarco quietly leading
the reign of the descendants.
Castello dei Rampolla’s founder, Alceo di Napoli
Rampolla, was a foremost advocate of Cabernet, prominently
celebrated in Sammarco, a predominantly Cabernet-based
blend (95% Cabernet Sauvignon & 5% Sangiovese)
that he conceived in cooperation with Giacomo Tachis
(Sassicaia, Solaia, Argiano). While Alceo endured
fierce criticism for advocating the synergy between
the Panzano area of Chianti and the varietal of Cabernet
Sauvignon, his position was vindicated in the debut
Sammarco’s (1980) critical reception.
In 1996, the di Napolis introduced Vigna d’Alceo
(Alceo’s Vineyard) in homage to their late father.
The grapes for this cru wine are grown exclusively
in the Alceo vineyard located in Greve, one of the
five original townships for the production of Chianti.
While Sammarco has become part of the Super-Tuscan
establishment, d’Alceo’s intense marriage
of opulence and power has given it cult status, placing
it in the realm of Masseto and Messorio. No other
in its class achieves such a stunning and provocative
expression—delivering a lush density that belies
the wine’s intricate and profoundly serious structure.
More potent than the most power-hungry of cult Cabernets,
d’Alceo acquires a sleek and spicy dimension
from a small percentage of Petit Verdot—giving
it a character that simply eludes pure Cabs.
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Wine: Super-Tuscan
Producer: Castello
dei Rampolla
Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Region: Toscana
Province: Firenze
Commune: Greve in Chianti
Altitude: 360 meters
Exposure: South, Southwest
Classification: Toscana IGT
First Year: 1996
Bottle Production: 20,000
More Landmark Wines:
Antinori Tignanello
Antinori Solaia
Sassicaia
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