2011 I Sodi di San Niccolò

This range of wines from Castellare is superb. This small, family-run estate in Castellina continues to fly under the radar despite boasting an extraordinary track record of successes. There is little doubt Paolo Panerai's considerable commitments to his media empire and several other wine properties leave little time for marketing. All of the focus goes into the bottle. Not surprisingly, the quality level here is high. Very high. Because Castellare is not that well known, the wines sell for much less than they would otherwise. Every wine in this range from the straight Chianti Classico to the top of the line Sodi di San Niccolò is well worth your time. While the Sodi is consistently brilliant, readers should not pass up the straight Chianti Classico, which is also a fabulous value.