Marchesi Antinori Cervaro della Sala 2023

Castello della Sala’s Cervaro della Sala 2023 is a refined, barrel-fermented Umbrian white that shows why this cuvée is considered one of Italy’s modern benchmarks. Blending international polish with unmistakably Italian character, it delivers both immediate pleasure and impressive structure for the cellar. The 2023 vintage is especially noted for its youthful tension and mineral drive, offering a fresh, precise take on this iconic wine first released in 1985 and long regarded as one of the first great Italian whites to embrace barrique-aging.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Cervaro della Sala shines a luminous straw yellow with subtle green highlights that signal its youth and vibrancy. The nose opens a touch reserved and smoky at first—an attractive, flinty reduction that slowly gives way to layers of crushed yellow apple, sesame seed, pine shavings and a gentle whisper of vanilla cream from its time in oak. As it stretches out in the glass, more mineral and floral nuances emerge, adding depth and complexity. On the palate, this is all about finesse and balance. Silky, almost weightless textures glide across the tongue, carrying flavors of ripe orchard fruit, stone fruit and a distinct, stony minerality that recalls apricot skins on warm rock. A bright, lingering acidity keeps the wine energized from start to finish, even as the 2023 shows slightly less overt tannic grip than some past vintages. The finish is long, resonant and delicately savory, with a mineral echo and hints of apricot and citrus zest. Cervaro della Sala is known for its aging capacity, and 2023 is no exception: while already graceful, it should evolve beautifully over 6–10 years, gaining more honeyed, nutty and truffle-tinged complexity with time in bottle.

Production
Cervaro della Sala is crafted from vineyards surrounding the medieval Castello della Sala estate in Umbria, where hillside sites at altitude, rich in fossil-laden clay and limestone, give the wine its hallmark tension and minerality. The blend is predominantly Chardonnay with a smaller portion of Grechetto, a local Umbrian variety that adds structure, aromatics and a distinctly Italian character. Grapes are harvested by hand in the cool of early morning to preserve freshness, then carefully sorted before pressing. Chardonnay typically undergoes fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation in French oak barriques, where it also ages on fine lees with regular bâtonnage for extra texture and complexity, while Grechetto is largely vinified in stainless steel to retain its bright aromatics and crispness. The final blend is assembled after several months, then given additional time in bottle before release to knit the oak, fruit and mineral elements into a seamless whole.

Food & Serving
This elegant Umbrian white is a versatile partner at the table, ideal with refined seafood and creamy yet delicately flavored dishes. Think butter-poached lobster, scallops in a light cream or citrus sauce, grilled turbot or sole, roasted chicken with herbs, veal in white wine sauce, or truffle-accented pasta and risotto—especially those featuring porcini, shellfish or sweet spring vegetables. Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, aged pecorino or a mild creamy cheese also work beautifully. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to showcase both aromatics and structure. For young vintages like 2023, a brief decant of 20–30 minutes, or simply giving the wine time to open in the glass, helps the initial smoky reduction unfurl into its full array of fruit, floral and mineral notes.

Producer
Castello della Sala is one of Marchesi Antinori’s flagship estates, an imposing medieval castle set amid rolling vineyards in Umbria, just a short distance from Orvieto. Acquired by the Antinori family in the mid-20th century, the estate was conceived as a place to explore the potential of high-quality Italian white wines at a time when red wine dominated the country’s fine wine reputation. Cervaro della Sala, first produced in the 1980s, quickly became a pioneering reference point, among the earliest Italian whites to successfully combine French barrique techniques with native varieties and Umbrian terroir. Today, Castello della Sala is recognized as a leading producer in central Italy, regularly earning top scores and international acclaim, and playing a key role in elevating Italy’s reputation for world-class, ageworthy white wines.

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