Castello di Amorosa is unlike anything one will ever see in this country. Perched on a hilltop in Napa Valley it was V. Sattui’s dream to build a Tuscan wine estate in California. And build it he did, literally. He imported Italian marble, quarry stones, bricks, tile. He hired Italian designers, masons, landscapers, carpenters and architects. He built a medieval castle from the ground up complete with torture chambers, a chapel, a dining room capable of seating hundreds, lush courtyards, gardens, master state rooms, elegant wine cellars, dungeons and even a moat all surrounded by vineyards. Included within, is a grand tasting room, where I found “La Castellana” : the Maiden of the Castle.
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| Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley California |
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| The Dining Room |
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| One of several Aging Cellars |
The La Castellana wine is Amorosa’s answer to the Super Tuscan. A blend of Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Merlot, the wine is absolutely delicious. In the glass, it’s a dark violet red. The complex aroma includes dark, black fruits with traces of mineral, herbs, and tobacco. Flavors follow the nose, but at present, seem to speak more of Cabernet than any other grape in the blend. The marriage is delicious, La Castellana is elegant and graceful. It’s lush and full bodied and speaks to it’s Napa heritage clearly, with a subtle nod to its ancestry. Delicious wine and a very fun stop off the beaten Napa path. 92 points, about $38 at the Castello.
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| 2004 La Casetellana |
After tasting the Castello’s wines, descend lower…..into the bowels of the Castle. If you dare…
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| Torture Chamber |
John, torture chambers juxtaposed to a chapel? Inquisition?
Well, that's beside the point.
This is fascinating, and to work there must be an atavist's dream job; would be mine!
A definite grab if I see this wine!
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll ever see it. I believe, though I'm not sure, that Amorosa's wines are only available at the Castello. Therefore, you either have to go there or mail order. Can you mail order into NH?? Sometimes states are odd that way. But that wouldn't be in keeping with your stated mission. I picked this up out there. It was my only bottle.