2013 Sammarco, Castello dei Rampolla @ £300 inc. VAT per 6
Sammarco is one of two Super Tuscan produced by the Chianti based estate of Castello dei Rampolla. The estate’s owner, Alceo di Napoli, was a close friend of Sassicaia’s owner Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and was one of the select few who tasted the wine before its public unveiling in 1968.
Thus, it was that Castello dei Rampolla who began to emulate the polemic Bordeaux blend style at this Estate. He wasted no time in seeking out the world-famous consultant oenologist Giacomo Tachis, the founding father of Sassicia, Tignanello and Querciabella. His unrivalled ability to incarnate Bordeaux blends in Tuscany quickly resulted in Castello dei Rampolla’s new wine, Sammarco, rising to prominence; previously large amounts of the grapes had been sold to Antinori.
2013 was an excellent vintage in Tuscany though has been overshadowed somewhat by the hype of 2015. In 2013 Castello dei Rampolla produced something remarkable with Sammarco as it towered above its famous neighbours – Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Masseto in quality. I have managed to secure a very small parcel of 2013 direct from the estate and at a price that is the cheapest on the UK market. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot & 5% Petit Verdot.
2013 Sammarco, Castello dei Rampolla @ £300 inc. VAT per 6
“The 2013 Sammarco is a stunning wine. Super-expressive aromatics make a strong opening statement in a wine endowed with myriad dimensions of nuance and complexity. The 2013 is deep and fleshy, with generous fruit, beautifully integrated tannins and exceptional finesse. Readers should not plan on opening a bottle of this any time soon, though, as it seems likely to age at a glacial pace.”
Score: 98 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, January 2018
Sassicaia, Ornellaia & Masseto scored 93-96, 96 & 97 respectively and are all over twice the price so snap this up while you can!
