Sorry, The Wine Spies doesn't support Internet Explorer anymore. Please use a newer browser to continue browsing our wine collections.
What We Say 2004 Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico DOCG
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT!
Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new code that entitles you to Free Ground Shipping and, sometimes, an added discount! Today’s secret code is ITALIANSPY.
THE WINE SPIES EXCLUSIVE
The Wine Spies have secured the only U.S. allocation of this delicious Chianti Classico from the exceptional 2004 vintage. But be sure to act fast, our supply is extremely limited.
Mission Codename: Mental Vacation
Operative: Agent White & Agent Baco Noir
Objective: Enjoy Some Exceptional Wine In Tuscany, or at least in our mental image of Tuscany…
Mission Status: Ongoing…
Current Winery: Fattoria Nittardi
Wine Subject: 2004 Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico DOCG
Winemaker: Carlo Ferrini
Backgrounder:
Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in one of the eight sub-regions in the Chianti region. This one hales from the Castellina in Chianti commune, in the Chianti hills about 8 miles northwest of Siena. The DOCG requires that these wines range from 75-100% Sangiovese grapes and often is blended with Caniolo Nero, Trebbiano, Malvasia or Cabernet Sauvignon (regular Chianti is limited to no more than 90% Sangiovese).
This Chianti Classico DOCG is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Caniolo Nero and has exceptional cellar potential. The finest Chianti Classico, such as this one, can age gracefully for up to 20 years and are also among the funnest food wines from Italy.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – A clear and dark purple robe with a bluish tints, garnet hued edges and slow chubby legs that cling with color the side of the glass when swirled.
Smell – Bold but also round and well developed with aromas of bramble fruit and black cherry with balanced components of licorice, oak, and hints of earthiness, violets and zesty Italian tar.
Feel – A classic tangy attack that is dry, smooth and well structured on the mid-palate with fine, semi-sweet firm tannins and a dusty minerality.
Taste – Complex and elegant with tart and juicy black cherries and black berries that are well integrated with a touch of licorice, tangy Italian tar, toasted oak and a touch of spicy pepper.
Finish – This wine finishes long and clean with juicy fruit that are not overpowering and balanced with its spice and oak components.
Conclusion – The 2004 Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico is a delicious wine that will transport you to a small Tuscan village filled with the aromas of home style Italian cooking, warm faces and legendary hospitality. This well balanced wine has old-world subtlety that also has great juicy and tart fruit, making it appealing to all wine drinkers needing a one-night mental vacation.
Mission Report:
Ahh, the smell of fresh ripe tomatoes carefully blended with olive oil, basil, oregano and garlic filled my head. The view from the Castello looked over the rolling hills that were dotted with vineyards and olive tree groves. Well travelled, as well as wrinkled faces gleamed with smiles. Hugs were given even to the traveller passing through. This is what makes Tuscany such an amazing place. And perhaps one of the most romantic locales in the world.
I was sitting at a small bistro table with a commanding view of the Rocca of Castellina. An aged wooden tray of thinly carved Parma Prosciutto, a huge chunk of Parmesan Reggiano and olives complimented the bottle of Chianti Classico and a pair of glasses. Agent Blush looked stunning. It was nice to finally be on holiday. Somebody pinch me. I was clearly in heaven.
Stefania Canali opened the bottle and I was immediately hit with the bouquet of bramble fruit perfectly balanced over classic old-world aromas. Pouring a glass, giving it a brisk swirl and raising it to my lips, I just paused for a moment and took it all it. Then came the sip… Mmmm. There is something about classic Italian wine, with classic Italian food that just is simply transformational. We sat and enjoyed the late afternoon sun fade into dusk. It was perfect…
Just then the piercing ring of a cell-phone rang and I was being shacked violently. Back to reality… Standing over me was Agent Baco Noir yelling, “are you ok? are you ok?”.
“Huh, what, grrr…”, I responded, clearly foggy headed.
“The machine malfunctioned!, you were out cold in R.E.M. for at least 3 hours”, she yelled, “Are you OK?, How do you feel?”
“Well, good until you woke me up from my mental vacation”
Agent Baco Noir smiled and said “I guess our virtual reality tasting simulator is just a bit too real.”
_"Forget that, just plug me back in and get me some more of the 2004 Nittardi Casanuovo di Nittardi Chianti Classico_!"
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Castellina in Chianti commune can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Nittardi
Awards & Accolades:
Five Stars – Decanter.com – Mineral and spicy blackberries, ripe, juicy, black cherries. Perfectly balanced tannins. Drink up to 2016.
About This Wine:
Casanuova di Nittardi is a traditional Chianti Classico made from Sangiovese grapes with the addition of 5% Canaiolo to make it softer and more rounded. Both in the vineyard and in the cellar Casanuova di Nittardi enjoys special care and attention. A minimum 6 months of ageing in oak casks contributes to making it elegant and highly suitable for laying down. Nittardi has a long history linked to the art world, and the tradition continues today. As a tribute to the estate’s most celebrated owner – Michelangelo – every year an artist creates a label and a special tissue paper wrapping for a limited edition of around 3000 bottles. Begun in 1981 the collection includes the work of internationally famous artists such as Adami, Arroyo, Bach, Corneille, Hrdlicka, Hundertwasser, Janssen, Mitoraj, A.R. Penck, Tadini and Yoko Ono. In 2007, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Collection, the book “Le etichette artistiche di Nittardi” (Nittardi Art Labels) was published.
About The Winery:
Situated in the heart of Tuscany – the Chianti Classico area between Florence and Siena – the Nittardi estate with its 12 hectares of vineyards, 4 of olive groves and 120 of protected woods can boast a centuries-old tradition. The nearest village, Castellina in Chianti, is 8 kilometres away. The Nittardi vineyards stand at an altitude of 450 metres on the south-facing slopes of this unspoilt countryside, well protected by abundant woods.
We are dedicated to tending our land with passion and great respect, investing knowledge, technique and skill in our vineyards for the production of typical wines of an authentic Tuscan character.
The Family
The Nittardi estate has been growing and flourishing for 25 years, passionately run by Stefania Canali and Peter Femfert. Stefania, a historian, was born in Venice, studied in Florence and then taught at Columbus University in the United States. Peter, a publisher and art gallery owner in Frankfurt, has always had a great love for Italy. Before dedicating himself to Nittardi he travelled the world on foot, with adventurous journeys through the Sahara desert, and sailed all the oceans.
After their first meeting in Berlin, followed by their marriage in Venice, the young couple – though they didn’t speak the same language – substantially agreed about what their future would be based on: their motto became Per Aspera ad Astra. Stefania left the press office where she worked in Venice and devoted herself to Nittardi and her sons Leon and Damiano who had been born in the meantime.
Deep roots are not afraid of storms: Peter didn’t completely give up his passion for the sea, taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, from Las Palmas to Santa Lucia, and the Blue Race from Newport to Hamburg. But his true passion had become Nittardi. Here in the space of a few years they planted thousands of oak and olive trees. Here is all the strength and soul of the family.
History:
The Nittardi Estate, on the boundary between the provinces of Siena and Florence, was originally a defensive tower, known as early as the 12th century by the name of “Nectar Dei”. In the 16th century the vast property surrounded by oak woods amid the hills of San Donato, Castellina in Chianti and Panzano, belonged to Michelangelo who in 1549 wrote to his nephew Lionardo: “I’d prefer two casks of wine rather than eight shirts,” and on that occasion sent the Nittardi wine to Rome as a “genuine gift to the Pope “.
Over the centuries the property changed hands often until it was taken over in 1982 by Frankfurt publisher and art gallery owner Peter Femfert and his wife Stefania, a historian from Venice.
Stefania and Peter reconstructed Nittardi step by step. The vineyards were replanted and in 1992 the ancient vat-room was replaced by a modern cellar. A competent team of enthusiasts was set up, consisting of agronomist Giorgio Conte, consultant enologist Carlo Ferrini and Antonio Spurio who is in charge of the new Mongibello delle Mandorlaie estate in Maremma. In 1999, to meet the increased demand for Nittardi wines, a splendid 37 hectare estate was purchased not far from Scansano, with a view of Mount Argentario. Nittardi today includes 120 hectares of protected woodland, 12 hectares of Chianti Classico vineyards and 4 hectares of olive groves. Plus the new Maremma vineyard, Mongibello delle Mandorlaie, where 17 hectares have already been vinified to date. This is where our IGT wines come from which have already won several awards: Nectar Dei and Ad Astra.
