In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, graphite, violet, leather
Palate: dark plum, iron, tobacco, wild herbs
Sangiovese-Cabernet blend from Castell'in Villa, the estate's modern Bordeaux-leaning IGT.
What it pairs with
-
Roast leg of lamb
Cabernet weight handles lamb fat. -
Hard pecorino with truffle honey
Sweet umami amplifies the wine's mid-palate. -
Bistecca alla fiorentina
Find bistecca alla fiorentina on TableJourney →
Blend structure handles a T-bone.
How to serve Castell'in Villa Santacroce
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast leg of lamb, Hard pecorino with truffle honey, Bistecca alla fiorentina. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Sangiovese-Cabernet IGT from Castell'in Villa, first vintage around 1990 as the estate's Super Tuscan bottling.
- 1990 — First vintage of Santacroce
Facts
- Producer
- Castell'in Villa
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Malvasia Nera (10%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- 24 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 50 to 80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
Scores
- Vinous 92 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Castell'in Villa Santacroce
What does Castell'in Villa Santacroce taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, graphite, violet, leather. On the palate, dark plum, iron, tobacco, wild herbs. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Sangiovese-Cabernet blend from Castell'in Villa, the estate's modern Bordeaux-leaning IGT.
When should I drink Castell'in Villa Santacroce?
Drink 5 to 18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Castell'in Villa Santacroce?
Roast leg of lamb is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Hard pecorino with truffle honey and Bistecca alla fiorentina. Cabernet weight handles lamb fat.
What grapes are in Castell'in Villa Santacroce?
The blend is Sangiovese (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Malvasia Nera (10%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.