I have reviewed six wines from Castello di Romitorio, from the 2016 to 2021 vintages, all from Brunello di Montalcino. All are Sangiovese. Scores range from 96 to 99, averaging 97; the highest is the 2016 Castello di Romitorio “Filo di Seta” Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (99 points). Castello di Romitorio also features in one journal article on this site.
Castello di Romitorio is a twelfth-century fortress on a hilltop in northern Montalcino, surrounded by oak forests and looking out towards Siena. It had been abandoned for centuries when the artist Sandro Chia, one of the leading figures of Italy’s Transavanguardia movement, bought it in 1984. He turned it into a studio, revived the vineyards and built a new winery in 2005, and every label still carries one of his paintings.
Today the estate is run by his son Filippo, who joined in 2005 after studying photography at NYU and describes his style as “traditional, clean, and electric.” The team works with old Sangiovese clones and an older, less dense style of planting. The cool northwestern sector was once considered marginal for ripening; with a warming climate it has become an advantage, giving full ripeness with balanced acidity and vertical energy. The Brunello di Montalcino, aged in large Slavonian oak, sets a standard for village Brunello: elegant, structured and savory.
Filo di Seta — “the silk thread,” named for the stream running through the woods — is the single-vineyard wine, from a 2.5-hectare site beside the castle planted in 1995 on bluish galestro schist. It is defined by verticality, a mineral edge and notes of cool mint and rosemary. The black-label Filo di Seta Riserva is made only when the vineyard yields something extraordinary, from a strict barrel selection; the 2016 remains one of the estate’s legendary wines and the 2019 marked its return.
When discussing the absolute elite of Montalcino today, Castello Romitorio is a name that must be at the forefront of
Castello Romitorio: The Art of Montalcino and the “Silk Thread” Read Post »
For collectors looking for a benchmark, the 2016 remains one of the most legendary wines ever produced by the estate.
2016 Castello di Romitorio “Filo di Seta” Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Read Post »
With only 2,666 bottles produced, the 2019 is a monumental return for the Riserva. It is a wine of brooding
2019 Castello di Romitorio “Filo di Seta” Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Read Post »
Filippo Chia and his team absolutely nailed the 2020 vintage. While 2020 was a warmer year, the Filo di Seta
2020 Castello di Romitorio “Filo di Seta” Brunello di Montalcino Read Post »
The 2021 is a masterclass in tension and finesse. It pours a saturated garnet and erupts with aromas of exotic
2021 Castello di Romitorio “Filo di Seta” Brunello di Montalcino Read Post »
This is the flagship wine of the estate and sets the standard for village Brunello. The 2021 is one of
2021 Castello di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Read Post »
The 2020 Castello Di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino is a wine that combines art, history and a deep passion for
2020 Castello di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Read Post »
