2022 Marchesi Antinori Castello della Sala 'San Giovanni della Sala' Orvieto Classico Superiore

The history in Umbria is a proud one that stretches back to the Etruscans. The Antinori family came to Umbria in the 1950s to produce high-quality white wines. They already had Tuscan Sangiovese estates, but Umbria, and in particular, the area around Orvieto, had been known since the Roman era as the best place to make outstanding white wines. The vines are so old, the local varietal is referred to as "Grechetto", or the little grape that the Greeks brought to Enotria. 

The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries since 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member, of the “Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri”, the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. 

"We have demonstrated, over the years, that in Tuscany and in Umbria there was the possibility of producing excellent wines, widely recognized at an international level, which showed both elegance and finesse while maintaining their original character," says Piero Antinori.

Marchesi Antinori Castello Della Sala 'Cervaro della Sala' has been produced for almost 40 years. The name Cervara is to honor the previous estate owners, the Monaldeschi della Cervara. 

Castello della Sala sits above huge caves carved out of the hills. This huge medieval castle dates from 1350 and is composed of 1482 acres, of which 495 are planted with white varieties and Pinot Noir.  The vineyard is located on gently rolling hillsides, planted on calcareous soil, and rich in fossils. Pinot Noir is grown at the top of the hill.

This castle was acquired during a time when many large wineries from outside the region started to purchase land at low prices. Castello Della Sala was in ruins when it was purchased. However, after years of hard work, and the expertise Renzo Cotarella, this property became one of the emblematic Antinori estates, known to produce some of the world's greatest Italian white wines. 

This beautiful blend of Chardonnay with Grechetto is unique. This was one of the first Italian white wines to undergo malolactic fermentation and also one of the first ones to age in barrels. The result is amazing, a complex and elegant wine, that’s meant to age for a long time.

The winery also makes a Muffato Nobile, which is one of the best sweet ones in the region with incredible aging potential.

A blend of Chardonnay grapes and a small percentage of Grechetto.  
Certainly one of the finest Chardonnays produced in all of Italy and this wine fares well in a blind tasting with top Meursault and Grand Cru Montrachet. If you haven't had a chance to taste this wine,  you're missing one of the top 10 greatest white wines in all of Italy. Year after year, it's just stunning wine to age.

~95 pts Yearbook of "The Best Italian Wines"Luca Maroni 

Fuji apple aromas lift from the glass, followed by elegant aromas of white flowers, fresh herbs and river stone. The palate pops with zippy acidity hinting at green apple and lemon, finishing with a beautiful texture. This dexterous white goes nicely with lighter fare, fish or pork. ~93 Wine Enthusiast

The 2022 Orvieto Classico Superiore San Giovanni della Sala is spicy and mineral in style, opening with a burst of crushed stones and sour citrus complicated by savory herbal tones. This mixes vividly ripe orchard fruits with candied lime and a salty flourish over a core of vibrant acidity. It finishes with tremendous length, leaving a grapefruit and sweet minty tinge as the mouth is left watering for more. What a treat.  ~91 Vinous Media

Bright straw yellow colour. On the nose fresh pineapple, yellow pear and apricots, plus fine floral aromas. On the palate fine fruit texture and well-integrated acidity, exotic, the finish hearty and with good length. ~91 Falstaff

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