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5218 Lawton Avenue
Oakland, CA 94114

510-654-9159

Oliver McCrum Wines has been importing small production Italian wine and distributing to fine retail and restaurant establishes throughout California since 1994. Over time, our portfolio of producers has steadily grown to over 45 producers from 15 different regions of Italy. We look for typical Italian wines with clarity and freshness, usually made from indigenous Italian grape varieties using clean, transparent winemaking techniques and no obvious use of oak. 

Castell'in Villa

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One of the finest and most age-worthy producers of Chianti Classico
The beauty of simplicity - all Sangiovese in large traditional barrels
Guided by the wisdom of owner, Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Lessona

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about castell’in villa:

Castell'in Villa is a small estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, at the south end of the Chianti Classico region. Both the Chianti Classico and the Riserva are made entirely of Sangiovese, vinified using indigenous fermentations, and aged in the traditional large oval barrels, and have been some of the best wines in the appellation for decades. (The owner of the estate, Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa, has never wavered in her commitment to traditional winemaking.) The resulting wines are soulful, distinctive, long-lived, and delicious, proof that the Sangiovese grape can rise to greatness when grown in the right place.

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the wines:

Chianti Classico

Estate grown in Castelnuovo Berardenga in alluvial soil with pebbles and sand; 100% Sangiovese. The wine is fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts and is kept in contact with the skins for a little less than two weeks. The wine is aged in large oval barrels ('botti') for two years before bottling.

The resulting wine is the best kind of classic Chianti, with the classic aromas of sour cherry, fine leather, sandalwood, and cedar, fresh acidity, attractive fine tannins, and a long, complex palate impression. This style of Chianti Classico is a very useful wine at table, medium-weight, savory, based on fresh acidity rather than tannins; I drink it with pizza, roast chicken, pork, and red meats (although the Riserva is best of all for this, amazing with rib-eye). 

Chianti Classico Riserva

Estate grown in Castelnuovo Berardenga in alluvial soil with limestone, clay, and sand; 100% Sangiovese from the best vineyards on the property. The wine is fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts, kept on the skins for a little more than two weeks, and aged in large oval barrels ('botti') for two to three years, depending on the vintage.

The critic Antonio Galloni describes Castell'in Villa's wines as some of the most age-worthy in Italy, and although this Riserva drinks well at 5 years of age, it will easily go 20 or more. Outstanding Sangiovese, and one of the best wines in the Chianti Classico appellation. This grilled rib-eye steak is heaven on earth.

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more information:

Visit the Castell'in Villa Website

More about Chianti Classico