Today we share one of the great travel destinations in the Napa Valley, Castello di Amorosa is a must visit for anyone interested in Tuscan history. The history dates back many years with Dario Stattui, who is is the great grandson of pioneering vintner Vittorio Sattui, an Italian immigrant who founded St. Helena Wine Cellars in 1885. The Sattui family lived at the winery, even after Prohibition closed the business in 1920. Dario returned to the U.S. in 1972, with plans to re-open the family winery that had been dormant for more than 50 years. In 1975, he launched V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena.
Fast forward to In 1993, and after decades of searching Dario finally found the ideal parcel — 171 acres near Calistoga where Colonel William Nash had planted one of California's first vineyards in 1846. Dario bought the property, which had acres of beautiful forest and hills, a stream and a lake, and a great Victorian home where he decided to settle. And the rest has been history.
For years I have admired not only the beauty of this property but the wines that are inside its cellars. The Castello was finally born using more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone and nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe to complete the construction. More than 200 containers of old materials and furnishings were shipped over from Europe to decorate the interior. The construction took 15 years and opened to the public on April 7, 2007.
Brooks Painter has served as director of winemaking since 2005 and Peter Valleno has been winemaker since 2014. I adored the new wines by their team, none more so than the gorgeous 2021 Castello di Amorosa Rose (OB, 92) which is beautifully nuanced and shows a smooth texture. I adored the 2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) whchi shows downright killer range from citrus to beautiful red fruits. Learn more about this beautiful winery at https://castellodiamorosa.com and here are my reviews of the outstanding new Castello di Amorosa wines.
2021 Castello di Amorosa Rose- Salmon in color, the 2021 Castello di Amorosa Rose delivers pink grapefruit blossom, white rose water and beautiful freshly picked guava fruits on the nose. The palate is fresh and polished with plenty of mouth-watering acidity and richness. The smooth texture entices, as rich red fruits parade with minerals. Enjoy over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this site in the Green Valley of Sonoma County, this offers cran-cola, loamy soils and a bright salinity that runs though the pretty red fruits on the palate. Full-bodied and full of finesse, enjoy this lithe and polished 2019 Pinot Noir over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Il Rubino’ comes from several sites in the North Coast AVA. Stored in 45% new French oak, this offers very pretty red rose petals with orange zest and suggestions of cardamom on the nose. Very smooth and soft on the mouth, this is generous, downright delicious red fruit-driven wine that is best consumed now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Quattro’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding, deeply-colored 2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Quattro’ Cabernet Sauvignon spent 20 months in 65% new French oak before bottling. Ripe dark currants and huckleberries mark the nose, alongside wet gravel and graphite notes. The palate is soft and very seamless, creating a weightless effect. Drink 2022-2034- 93
2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Grigsby Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Coming from the Yountville AVA, the 2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Grigsby Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 20 months in 65% new French oak before bottling. Anise and garrigue aromas combine with espresso grounds and rich dark fruits on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with polished tannins and beautiful length. Drink 2022-2036- 93
2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Zingaro’ Zinfandel- A blend of 91% Zinfandel with 9% Primitivo, this old vine Russian River Valley Zinfandel shows off potpourri with fresh dill and stewed strawberry notes on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and gorgeous length. Great to consume now, enjoy this outstanding new Zinfandel over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92