2015 Castello dei Rampola Sammarco

2015 Castello dei Rampola Sammarco I love the meatiness to this wine, but also the purity of fruit; think charcuterie, prosciutto, bay leaf, capsicum, blueberries, blackcurrants and crushed stones. You just can’t get over the way this manages to deliver a powerful, muscular package with stunning finesse and poise. The tapestry of intricate texture and detail is wrought in a flashy but sincere and heartwarming style. The balance takes your breath away. Best ever from here. Impossible to resist now, but better from 2025. 98pts Suckling

This is dense and muscular, revealing a tightly wound matrix of black cherry, blackberry, iron, earth and tobacco flavors. Balsamic elements of wild juniper and rosemary emerge as this extends on the finish. Though gripping, this is also very pure, fresh and balanced. Needs time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2036. 95pts Wine Spectator

This historic estate owned by the Di Napoli family since 1964 is situated in Panzano’s Conca d’Oro. They have owned the castle that house Rampola’s cellars back to the 13th century. Selling its first estate bottles in 1975, Castello dei Rampolla wines have become cult favorites for their consistency and authenticity. Panzano is one of Tuscany’s sweet spots with greats like Fontodi. Rampolla is one of the true superstars of Tuscany, and they seamlessly go from strength to strength with each passing vintage. I have secured their great Cabernet based Super Tuscan with some time in the bottle directly from Tuscany. The 2015 Castello Rampola Sammarco is one of the great releases of the vintage. Massive press, double 98pts and from a great vintage. The 2015 vintage got 97pts by The Wine Spectator and 95pts by Parker’s Wine Advocate, a vintage worthy of the cellar. Sammarco rivals the finest Cab’s and Cabernet based reds in the world. Rare to be able to offer such a great wine with time in the bottle and compared to other great Cabs, extremely fairly priced with what’s in the bottle. Hard core blue chip Tuscany