"We make wine where the wine in the glass speaks about the terroir where it grows."
Federico Cerelli, Chief Winemaker, Cavaliere d'Oro
Imagine a grown-up fairy tale where a dashing knight clad in a golden suit of armor, gallops up to you on a glorious steed and whisks you away to a medieval Tuscan castle where each glass of wine is more wonderful than the last. Sounds like heaven! Well, my daydream essentially came true on a recent visit to Castello di Gabbiano for a celebration of their new collection of Cavaliere d'Oro wines. No, I did not get swept away on a horse, but my palate embarked on an exciting wine tasting adventure through Tuscany and beyond!
Located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, Castello di Gabbiano's rich winemaking legacy can be traced back to 1480. Legend has it that during the Middle Ages a Gold Knight protected this majestic castle and vineyards. Inspired by this fearless knight, Cavaliere d'Oro wines pay homage to this glorious history but represent the start of a bold new chapter. Cavaliere d'Oro has Tuscan roots but valiantly explores other winemaking regions: Puglia, Sicily, and Veneto. The collection currently consists of 13 wines from these 4 regions and range in price from $10-$40.
Born in Tuscany, the juice of the Sangiovese grape runs in winemaker Federico Cerelli's veins. At home, there was always a bottle of Sangiovese on the table. Federico's favorite childhood snack, prepared by his grandmother, was a piece of bread moistened with wine and topped with a sprinkle of sugar. His grandfather had a hectare of vineyards and as a little boy Federico loved helping him. It seems that Federico was destined to be a winemaker. Since 2011, he has been Chief Winemaker at Castello di Gabbiano and the new Cavaliere d'Oro project combines Federico's Tuscan expertise with his experience and curiosity about other Italian winemaking regions. Chianti 2017 DOCG ($10), Chianti Classico 2016 DOCG ($14), Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 DOCG ($22), Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 DOCG ($40)
The Cavaliere d'Oro collection contains four Sangiovese based wines but each is completely different. Federico touts "the flexibility that Sangiovese has to adapt to the terroir" as a key factor in this range of expression. The grape adapts and reflects the characteristics of the soil and micro-climates. From easygoing and fresh, to complex and sultry; there is a Cavaliere d'Oro wine for every moment, meal, and budget.
The single-vineyard Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 DOCG ($40) is an excellent example of Sangiovese's ability to transmit terroir. Bellezza means beauty and this superb wine lives up to the name.
The Bellezza vineyard is a rocky hillside plot and the wine's rich fruit flavors are balanced by a pleasing flinty minerality and touch of earth. Silky with soft tannins and gorgeous flavors of black cherry and raspberry, with a tinge of orange peel and cedar; Bellezza has great freshness and acidity. Delicious now, Bellezza's balanced structure indicates that it will age gracefully. The Tuscan wines also include two blends. Cavaliere d'Oro Toscana 2016 IGT ($17) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese; it has charming flavors of juicy wild berries and a touch of violets.
Alleanza Toscana 2016 IGT ($35) is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with seductive flavors of black cherry with touches of anise, toasted oak, and sweet spice.
Heading south, the Gold Knight explores Sicily and Puglia. Terre Siciliane Rosso 2017 IGT ($17) blends Sicily's iconic Nero d'Avola with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 20% of the hand-picked Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were air-dried and then vinified. The non-dried grapes were fermented separately. This is quite a complex and nuanced wine at a very accessible price point. Rich but not unwieldy, its bold fruit flavors and hints of spice are impressively harmonious.
100% Primitivo, the Gold Knight delivers a vibrant and bold expression of Puglia's native grape. Primitivo Puglia 2017 IGT ($17) is velvety and lush with flavors of ripe cherries and plum with hints of cocoa and vanilla.
Lest you think the Gold Knight has pledged exclusive fealty to red wines, Cavaliere d'Oro also has a selection of refreshing white wines that are focused on Pinot Grigio and Prosecco.
Think all Pinot Grigio wines are the same? Cavaliere d'Oro presents three very different expressions of Italy's most famous white wine. Gabbiano Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC 2017 and Pinot Grigio Valdadige DOC 2017 both blend Pinot Grigio with a bit of Chardonnay: Gabbiano has vibrant flavors of fresh green apple, citrus, and tropical fruit, whereas the Valdadige has more pronounced minerality. The Campanile Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC 2017 is 100% Pinot Grigio and has a hint of salinity and tropical fruit. Around $10 each.
And even the Gold Knight can't resist a flirty glass of sparkling wine. Lively and festive with delicate bubbles, Cavaliere d'Oro Prosecco ($14) is 100% Glera from the Veneto region. They also produce a Prosecco that is available exclusively at restaurants. Winemaker Federico Cerelli explains the nuances of the Cavaliere d'Oro wines.
"Every region in Italy is a different culture, a different philosophy," said Federico. 4 regions, 13 wines; Cavaliere d'Oro is an ambitious project. When asked what links these wines from Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, and Veneto together, Federico adamantly stated, "All the wines must be at their top level of quality. Drinkability. Elegance." This philosophy, paired with a strong foundation and Federico's precise and artistic approach to winemaking, Cavaliere d'Oro is poised to win over wine lovers.
Outside of the museums, knights in shining armor are a rarity in Manhattan so it was an absolute delight to step back in time during my visit and stay at Castello di Gabbiano. Pick up a few bottles of Cavaliere d'Oro wine and start planning your own magical Tuscan getaway. Spacious rooms and apartments are available for rent at the castle. The property also has a fantastic restaurant, appropriately named Il Cavaliere, that serves authentic and fresh Tuscan cuisine. Live and drink life like it's golden!
