Marchesi Antinori Castello della Sala Conte Della Vipera 2024

I tasted this wine and immediately thought I was drinking a Graves Blanc. Wowzers. It’s completely delicious, and if you’re similar to me, it’s almost hard to believe this was made in Central Italy and not the home of Bordeaux Blancs. But that’s exactly what makes Castello della Sala so extraordinary. The Antinori family doesn’t just follow the rules – they write them.

This is a creation of Renzo Cotarella, one of Italy’s most celebrated winemakers, from a family making wine across 26 consecutive generations since 1385. This hits with so many different notes: fresh citus, lychee, ,guava lime and even a hint of pineapple on the nose. On the palate, it’s super elegant and lively, with a long, refined finish and that beautiful piercing mineral note that streaks all the way through the fruit. This is as food-friendly as white wine gets.