Wine Advisor
Castello Dei Rampolla, d'Alceo Toscana 2003
View analysis
Description
“D’Alceo” fully reflects the character of the vineyard from which it originates. It is intense, warm, refined and elegant. Well-ripened red fruits blend perfectly with delicate notes of cigar and tobacco – an amazing concentration with no heaviness.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Castello dei Rampolla’s 2003 D’Alceo (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot) is another ripe, powerful wine packed with layers of super-ripe, opulent fruit, graphite, licorice and tar supported by a firm, classic structure that will require time to fully come together. It is sweeter and riper than the Sammarco, and its more supple personality works well to balance the wine’s structural components. As with the 2004s, the D’Alceo seems to have a slight edge in terms of its overall balance. The 2003 is a stunning effort. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. High-density vineyards, biodynamic farming and low yields are the hallmarks of the wines of Castello dei Rampolla, located in the prestigious Conca d’Oro in Panzano. Despite its elegant name Castello di Rampolla is a small, family-run property with a decidedly artisanal approach to working in both the vineyards and the cellar. The estate produces big, concentrated wines with imposing tannic structures that have proven to be extremely ageworthy. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
One of the unquestioned highlights in this tasting, the 2003 d'Alceo is simply stunning. The personality of this dry, torrid vintage comes through in the wine's power and voluptuousness, but at the same time, the 2003 boasts phenomenal balance. Ideally, the 2003 needs at least another few years to drop some of its baby although it will always be opulent. Tertiary notes are just beginning to develop in a d'Alceo that has developed even better than I envisioned six years ago when I first tasted it.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Castello dei Rampolla's 2003 d'Alceo (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot) is another ripe, powerful wine packed with layers of super-ripe, opulent fruit, graphite, licorice and tar supported by a firm, classic structure that will require time to fully come together. It is sweeter and riper than the Sammarco, and its more supple personality works well to balance the wine's structural components. As with the 2004s, the D'Alceo seems to have a slight edge in terms of its overall balance. The 2003 is a stunning effort.
About the Producer
Castello dei Rampolla was founded in 1956, however the history of its owners, the Napoli Rampolla family, dates back on this site to 1739. The estate is based in the hilltop town of Panzano, and is famed for the Conca d’Oro (golden basin) – an outstanding natural amphitheatre composed of the village’s hillsides, neighbouring Fontodi. It was under the stewardship of Alceo di Napoli Rampolla in the second half of the twentieth century that Castello dei Rampolla began to make a name for itself. Having been inspired by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta – the legendary creator of Sassicaia – Alceo decided to attempt his own Bordeaux style wine with Cabernet Sauvignon. He recruited the help of world famous consultant oenologist Giacomo Tachis and soon enough Castello dei Rampolla’s ability to incarnate Bordeaux blends in Tuscany pushed the estate into the spotlight. Their wine, Sammarco, became a superstar in the Castello dei Rampolla collection, despite criticism from Chianti Classico traditionalists in the region.
