'The Winemaker's Release', Castello di Potentino 2014

Potentino is a magical place with vineyards surrounding a magnificent 14th-century fort and in my view, is the most beautiful estate in all Tuscany. Here, handmade organic wines are produced in small batches under the watchful eye of Charlotte Horton, the estates hugely talented winemaker.  

All great producers in Tuscany aspires to make a special cuvée in small quantity which they crown as their ‘Super Tuscan’. As does Charlotte, and in this case, her Winemaker's Release 2014. Made with 100% old vine sangiovese and aged in oak for 24 months, it was only released in 2022 after seven years in bottle. It is wonderfully seductive with intense cherry, red berry fruit and spices giving the wine a rich luscious texture.

Having stayed at the castello several times - including for the wedding of my youngest son - I know all their wines well. Which is why, if ever you visit Tuscany, I cannot recommend more strongly that you stay at the estate (or even just visit for lunch) and taste their wines.

- Esme Johnstone., Co-Founder of FromVineyardsDirect.

About Castello di Potentino:
The setting couldnt be more idyllic, where four, rolling hectares of vineyard surround the 14th-century Castello di Potentino and on a site dating as far back as the mid-11th century. For some, its the most beautiful wine estate in all Tuscany. Here, very near to the Brunello di Montalcino denominazione, English proprietors Charlotte Horton and Alexander Greene have been making wine organically since having begun their renovation of the building in 2000.

Owing to the areas unique micro-climate and mixed volcanic soils, the Greenes are able to grow three of the most site-sensitive varietals together in one small vineyard: Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Alicante. Their delicious, handmade wines undergo minimum intervention, whereby varietals express their essence here, ever so seductively.