Located in Gaiole in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico, this estate traces its connection to wine back to the 11th century with the Benedictine monks. However, it was not until 1256 that the name Castello di Meleto appeared in written records.

The castle’s rich history and foundations have been treated with great respect, a philosophy that extends to the vineyard. Castello di Meleto is among the largest producers of organic Chianti, with vineyards spanning 160 hectares and ranging in altitude from 350 to 600 metres above sea level. All wines are made from estate-grown grapes, predominantly harvested by hand.

Positioned between Florence and Siena, the estate stands as a masterclass in Chianti — its history, its people, and its land.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Teatrico Vino Spumante Metodo Classico Extra Brut Rosé
93 Points | $100 RRP

Made from predominantly sangiovese grapes with significant time on lees. The wine is a coral blush hue in the glass and opens with umeboshi plum, redcurrant and cranberries. There is shortbread and flakey pastry shell, almond nougatine and subtle dried rose. As you’d expect acidity is powerful, driving the palate, with a surprise amount of vinosity and middle palate depth and concentration. The bubbles and fine and delicate wound throughout each sip. There is a halo effect of quince and persimmon flesh that continues to offer shades and shapes of fruit, whilst cold red tea tannins spread and fan across the tail end of the palate. This is a very good example of why structural red varieties can offer so much to metho classico wines. Drink now or cellar for another 5-6 years. A wine perfect for cured meats or even with pork loin at main course.

2023 Castello Di Meleto Simbionte Toscana Bianco
94 Points | $100 RRP

A blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianco, matured in acacia barrels for 15 months. Abundant with white peach, gardenia florals and cantaloupe. This is a trip to the Mediterranean in a glass. For there is nothing quite like the coupling of these two varieties. Here fruit is intensely perfumed but polished and fresh, some glace pear and raw cashew nut. The palate is slightly oily with green olive brine and a waxy almost pollen-like dry grip. It is moderate in alcohol, the wine’s presence and power is acute. These are the white wines that accompany great restaurant dishes, able to stand up to buttery seafood or layered and laborious sauces. A wine of texture, richly complex, offering layers of flavour and totally memorable. The arch of slightly elevated alcohol that brings forth honeycomb, nutmeg and ground ginger is remarkable. Drink now.

2023 Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico
92 Points | $55 RRP

Ok the current Chianti Classico release is a very important wine, some may say, it’s the lifeblood, this is your first impression and welcome to the estate. What 2023 tells me is that this is a wine that receives plenty of attention and care. Red cherries, red currants, bracken and wild thyme. Once again this is a very pure wine with freshness and fruit as its focus. A fabric of sandy tannins spread wide, with elegant natural acidity prompting the drinkability of this wine, yes with food, but also it is approachable to have by the glass on its own. There is a fleshy, plumpness to the berries which is very attractive in its youth. Drink now or cellar for another 5- 6 years. A lovely wine for spiced and cured meats.

2022 Castello Di Meleto Riserva Chianti Classico
93 Points | $80 RRP

Quite the classically framed Riserva wine, showing the oak aging in harmony with lingonberries, morello cherries and rhubarb stalk. Some sage and oregano herbs and harmoniously tied with powdery cinnamon and nutmeg.  Tobacco leaf and terra cotta clay soils. Red berries are poised, almost like they have a glow to their translucency. Plenty of perky acidity that lifts the middle palate and tannins are silty, powerful and silken all at the same time. There is plenty of vibrancy and crunch and would be ideal to offset game meats like squab and quail. Drink now or cellar for a further 6-8 years.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Gran Selezione Chianti Classico
95 Points | $150 RRP

Packed to the brim with ripe red fruit, this is plump and alive with red fig hearts, cranberries and cherries plucked from the tree. A lofty rose bud perfume, with hints of marjoram and bay leaf. It is clear this from a site of real pedigree, the purity of flowers, fruit, sunshine, and ancient soil. Berries are exquisitely precise, ripe and flavourful. Oak is clearly large format for it whispers sweet nothings as a backdrop to the fruit centre. Tannins are silky soft and succulent, making for a very fine wine drinking experience. Some cocoa pods, espresso and caramel undertones too. A stunning wine of clarity and precision. Drink now or cellar for a further 8 years. Try this with medium rare veal.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Camboi Toscana Malvasia Nera
92 Points | $160 RRP

This will make you smile for its distinct Malvasia floral aromas, here you’ll discover musk, guava and hawthorn. Strawberries and wild raspberries. The palate leans into its sweetly fruited side and then cleverly is countered by sandy tannins that grip right till the end, albeit gentle and coaxing, making for a dry wine experience. The whole experience is undulating and the wine rolls across the palate, convincing you, you need to drink Malvaisa Nera more often. A wine that will have you talking, sipping and giggling for its unique and utterly captivating character. Drink now and pair with mushroom and pork pates or something like charred octopus. This has so many possibilities for a vast number of cuisines.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Gran Selezione Trebbio Chianti Classico
96 Points | $180 RRP

From the estate’s Trebbio vineyard within Gaiole. This is potent with cordial red fruits. Recurrent, cherry compote and Rooibos tea, this is wild and will turn your head for its striking aroma. Not quite candied but vivid in its fruit expressions and lingering pink peppercorn and sumac spice. Dried oranges and rosemary stem, this feels very modern with its ripe fruti presence backed by large format oak. A creamy tannins core and lifted acidity. So fresh, it is beguiling and a wine of true elegance but with underlying power, this will invigorate you. Once again this is a wine that is delightful on opening but has the ability to age very well, say 12-18 years on. Stunning with some five spice duck.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Gran Selezione Casi Chianti Classico
95 Points | $190 RRP

A wine that feels grounded, foraged strawberries, leaf litter and wild berries. There is rocky soils, some dried tea leaf, tobacco and cumin spice.  The is wine that tells a story of the land, quite rugged but with beautiful long ribbons of fine acidity and sandy tannins. Ground ginger and turmeric too. Oak cradles fruit but adds depth and layers of warm spice and curves in all the right places. Drink now with slow cooked meats or cellar for another 15-20 years further.

2020 Castello Di Meleto Gran Selezione  Poggiarso Chianti Classico
96 Points | $200 RRP

The Poggiarso is the oldest and most arid site of the estate, sitting at 530 metres above sea level. This captures the alluring aromas and connection to flora that only Sangiovese can do so well. Red cherries, rhubarb, pomegranate and tomato vine. Dried chilli, oregano and creeping ivy. There is great persistence of fine silky tannin, with surging acidity. This is built, heavy sandstone brick by brick for the long haul. Its innate structure is what is so momentous and yet, you can happily sip and admire its construction and shape over the evolving hours. What a wine, what a future this bottle will have. Drink now or cellar for another 20-25 years. A true beacon of the future of organic single site expression.

2019 Castello Di Meleto Parabuio Toscana
96 Points | $630 RRP

In the subzone of Casi of Gaiole, lying between two hills is a special site, a ravine where nature rules. Such is the place of Parabuio. Made from merlot planted in 1998. Destemmed and carefully pressed, the wine moves into concrete tanks and into seasoned barriques for 24 months. A wine of sultry beauty, dark plums, liquid chocolate and coffee bean. Gravelly tannins stand sturdy, ensuring this wine will last the distance of decades. This is refined and graceful, a wine that should be drunk with reverence and only the best, most loyal company