1988 Castellare I Sodi di San Niccolò Vino da Tavola - Italy, Tuscany, Vino da Tavola (3/29/2006)

I bought this at auction last year for $20. The mid1980's vintages of this wine received considerable fanfare. WS gave the 1985 and 1986 vintages scores of 96 and 94 respectively. WS gave this wine 88 points. It is made primarily of Sangiovese. I brought this to dinner last night at a local fine dining restaurant with Scubarex and our wives. The restaurant was waiving corkage. This was a huge disappointment. Over the hill. The nose was repugnent. I almost didn't try the wine because of it. Notes of soy sauce, sour cherry and stewed tomatoes. Drink now if you have any and hope they held up better than this bottle. 65 points

VM

Have you had other Catellares that were this old. I've always found this wine to be one to drink relatively early (i.e. 5-10 years after vintage). I had a 1997 recently that was horribly corked. There is one more '97 in the cellar which I should drink soon.

-Brett

I haven't had any Castellare's this old. However, I have had the 1988 Flacianello 3 times (each time outstanding) and the 1986 Fontalloro once (also outstanding) within the last 3-4 years. They are both Sangiovese based Supertuscans. Also had the 1988 and 1990 Sassicaia last year with excellent results although they are made with international varietals.

VM

I didn't mean to imply that Sangiovese based wines can't age. Some older Percarlos are some of the most sublime European wines I have tasted. I just don't think that this particular wine is a big ager. The few vintages (all around 5 years old) I've had seemed more evolved than other Sangiovese based wines of the same age. Thanks for the note.

-Brett

I understood that. I was just providing some background on other older Supertuscans I've had recently. R2-D2 has a bottle of this 1988 Castelare as well so I look forward to seeing what he has to say when he opens it.

VM