Barone Ricasoli : Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Castello di Brolio 2023 by Barone Ricasoli

Tasting notes

Colour
The wine reveals a dense, brilliant ruby-red colour, testament to the concentration of this cuvée, which comes from a rigorous parcel selection.

Nose
The nose opens with notes of red and black fruits, led by cherry, strawberry and redcurrant, accompanied by floral nuances and a subtle touch of vanilla and sweet spices from oak ageing.

Palate
The palate reveals a firm yet refined tannic architecture, supported by vibrant acidity and a generous polyphenolic structure. The whole is distinguished by remarkable length and clear ageing potential, the hallmark of the Castello di Brolio style.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, such as bistecca alla fiorentina, as well as game and meats braised in tomato sauce. It also pairs very well with Tuscan charcuterie and hard, aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano or a characterful Pecorino.

Castello di Brolio, a historic symbol of Tuscany

The estate

Located in Gaiole in Chianti, in Tuscany, Barone Ricasoli owes its renown to the Ricasoli family's uninterrupted presence at Brolio Castle since 1141, making it one of the oldest wine estates in Italy. The vineyard extends over approximately 240 hectares within a 1,200-hectare property. Since 1993, Francesco Ricasoli, the family's 32nd baron, has run the estate, steering it towards soil zoning, clonal selection of Sangiovese and a sustainability approach that has been certified since 2020.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione cuvée come from parcels located between 400 and 490 metres above sea level, mostly facing south and south-west, planted between 1994 and 2005 at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare and trained using the Royat cordon system. The vineyard rests on three soil types emblematic of Brolio, Macigno del Chianti, Scaglia Toscana and Monte Morello, which respectively bring aromatic intensity, structure and tension to the grapes. The vines come from Sangiovese clones selected by the estate, grafted onto 420A and 110R rootstocks.

Vinification and ageing

Castello di Brolio 2023 is produced from hand-harvested, meticulously selected grapes. After destemming, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, generally between 24°C and 27°C, with skin maceration of around two weeks. This Tuscan wine is then aged in 500-litre barrels, mostly second-fill, a measured balance between new and previously used oak that preserves the aromatic purity of the Sangiovese while adding structure and complexity.

Grape variety

Sangiovese (100%)