Famiglia Castellani Sangiovese Toscana 2019 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 91 Points | Perfumed nose of cedar, spearmint, morello cherry, vanilla and lemon verbena. Medium-bodied with polished tannins. Spicy character with ambitious new wood. Mocha at the end.

Winemaker Description 

The Castellani Family has been producing classic Tuscan wines for more than 150 years. The wines are true classic expressions of their unique Tuscan terroir. The 2023 Chianti is ruby-garnet in color with intense aromas of morello cherries and strawberries. A lovely balance of bright fruit, mouthwatering acidity and well balanced tannins. Ideal with pasta with meat or tomato sauce, hamburgers, roast or braised veal, and excellent with mushroom inspired dishes.

Memo Summary Notes

The Famiglia Castellani Sangiovese Toscana 2019 is an acclaimed "crowd-pleaser" that has gained a significant following in the U.S. for its high quality-to-price ratio. Unlike the more rustic Torrebruna we looked at, this bottling from the Castellani family—winemakers since 1903—is known for a more polished, "perfumed" style, often receiving high scores from critics like James Suckling for its modern approach to the traditional Sangiovese grape.

Pair with 

Classic: Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagna, or Eggplant Parmigiana.

• Meats: Chicken Scarpariello or grilled pork chops with rosemary.

• The "Best" Match: This is frequently cited as one of the best "Pizza Reds" on the market because its bright cherry acidity cuts through rich cheese and tomato sauce perfectly.