CASTELLO DELLA SALA 'Cervaro della Sala' Marchesi Antinori - Umbria IGT 2020 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Castello della Sala Cervaro della Sala 2020 is a generous, richly textured white pairing ripe Chardonnay fruit with Grechetto structure. Pale gold, it offers white peach, baked apple and lemon curd with citrus blossom and pastry crust from oak lees. Medium plus with a broad creamy texture, ripe stone fruit and pear sit alongside lemon zest and a savoury seam; Grechetto adds phenolic grip while oak supplies vanilla and toasted brioche without dominating. Bright acidity keeps the wine balanced and finish is long with nutty and citrus echoes. Approachable now; will gain with short cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2032. Pair with lobster thermidor, scallops, roast chicken with thyme or mushroom risotto. Critics: James Suckling 97; Wine Advocate 95; Vinous 93.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Castello della Sala Cervaro della Sala Marchesi Antinori 2020 is a generous and richly textured vintage that combines ripe Chardonnay fruit with the structural lift of Grechetto, reflecting a warm growing season balanced by late season freshness. The colour is pale gold with a bright core. The nose opens with ripe white peach, baked apple and lemon curd, accompanied by citrus blossom and a hint of orange marmalade. With airing the bouquet develops toasted almond, pastry crust and a gentle spice from oak, while a subtle saline mineral thread underpins the fruit.

On the palate the wine is medium plus in weight with a broad, creamy texture and a confident mid palate. Ripe stone fruit of white peach and nectarine sits alongside lemon zest and a rounded pear note, while Grechetto adds fine phenolic structure and a slight herbal lift. The oak treatment is more evident than in cooler years, contributing vanilla, toasted brioche and a soft baking spice that melds with the fruit rather than dominating it. Acidity is ripe yet present, providing balance and preventing the richness from becoming cloying. A discreet savoury seam and a faint almond bitterness give focus to the finish, which is long and textured with a lingering citrus and nutty echo.

The 2020 vintage at Castello della Sala saw warm conditions that produced generous, concentrated grapes with ample ripeness and healthy phenolics. Careful élevage and lees contact have tempered the warmth, resulting in a Cervaro that is lush and approachable yet structurally sound.

Approachable now, the 2020 will reward short to medium term cellaring as oak and lees nuances integrate further. Drink 2026 to 2032, peaking 2027 to 2029. Serve well chilled with lobster thermidor, scallops, seared tuna, creamy mushroom risotto or roast chicken with lemon and thyme to match the wine’s richness and savoury finish.

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
Complex nose of toast, charred pineapple, green papaya, kaffir lime and lemon. Crushed stones and white pepper, too. Full-bodied with vibrant acidity. Textured. Long and layered. Delicious and concentrated. Drink or hold.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2023 - 2038
Made with Chardonnay and a smaller part Grechetto, the 2020 Cervaro della Sala offer generous and creamy fruit while also maintaining a sharp sense of crispness and verticality. The 2020 vintage saw more hot days than 2019, and the wine has plumped up generously as a result. However, it remains vigorously within the confines of a consistent winemaking regime that seeks freshness and energy. The wine is generous in texture but not exaggerated in its aromas of orchard fruit, quince and toasted almond. Some 200,000 bottles were produced, which is about 25% less compared to the previous vintage (but still more than 2021 that saw frost damage).

VINOUS 93 points
Drinking window: 2023 - 2028
Nosing the 2020 Cervaro della Sala is like waking into a French bakery in the early morning, with notes of lemon oil, butter cream, crusty bread, fresh dough and vanilla bean contrasted by a whiff of crushed oyster shell, which may not be on the menu, but still works perfectly here. This glides effortlessly across the palate with the silkiest of textures, steadily gaining in tension, as mineral-drenched orchard fruits give way to sour melon and, finally, pretty inner florals. The 2020 lingers impossibly long and lightly structured, displaying notes of candied citrus enriched by almond custard. I'd love to toss this blend of 92% Chardonnay and 8% Grechetto into a blind tasting of white Burgundy. Beautifully done.
Eric Guido, November 2022

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
From Antinori's Castello della Sala estate, this landmark white helped to shine the spotlight on Umbria's untapped enological potential. A blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto, this is smooth, creamy, complex and long lasting. It offers a beautiful bouquet of vanilla, apricot, exotic fruit and honey, with a subtle touch of exotic spice.

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ABOUT CASTELLO DELLA SALA
Castello della Sala is an historic estate in Umbria owned by the Marchesi Antinori family, who acquired the property in the mid 20th century as part of a long term commitment to central Italian viticulture. The property centres on a medieval castle set within rolling hills and well tended parkland, where vineyards occupy calcareous and loamy soils that lend structure and mineral lift to the wines. Antinori ownership has brought sustained investment in vineyard renewal, research and cellar facilities while respecting the estate character and local heritage.

Vineyards at Castello della Sala are planted to a mix of indigenous and international varieties, with Pinot Grigio, Grechetto, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among the white varieties, and Sangiovese and selected international red varieties in smaller plots. Site selection favours gentle slopes and well drained soils, and vine age varies across parcels according to replanting programmes. Vineyard practice emphasises canopy management, yield control and selective hand harvesting to achieve balanced ripeness and aromatic clarity. Sustainable soil care and water management are integral to maintaining long term vigour and to expressing site specificity.

Winemaking is overseen by the Antinori technical organisation and carried out by an experienced cellar team based at the estate. The approach combines careful parcel by parcel vinification with modern temperature control and attentive oak regimes when required. White wines often receive gentle handling to preserve primary aromatics and fresh acidity, while selected barrel ageing is employed to add texture and complexity to premium cuvees. Red vinification focuses on measured extraction and maturation choices that enhance structure without obscuring varietal character.

The estate produces a range of wines from accessible everyday bottles to reserve level cuvees that demonstrate depth and cellaring potential. Typical tasting notes include vibrant stone fruit and citrus for whites, and ripe red fruit, spice and mineral nuance for richer bottlings. Castello della Sala exemplifies Antinori stewardship in Umbria, combining tradition, technical rigour and a clear sense of place.