Castello Dei Rampolla Sammarco 2016

2016 in Tuscany is already being whispered about in the same breath as 2010 and 1990. For Sammarco—a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Sangiovese and Merlot—this year allowed for a slow, phenolic ripening. The result is a wine that feels absolutely complete. It has the power of the sun but the soul of the forest.

This is a wine of profound structural integrity and soaring aromatics. While some Super Tuscans lean into plushness, Sammarco remains a purist’s dream—linear, aristocratic, and incredibly deep. The vintage provided the cool nights necessary to preserve vibrant acidity, which carries the weight of the dark fruit effortlessly. The tannins are pixelated and fine-grained, promising a lifespan that will outlast most peoples’ cellars.

This is a patience bottle. If you’re opening it tonight, give it a vigorous double-decant two hours before dinner. If you can wait, hide it in the back of the cellar for another five years to let that Sangiovese acidity truly marry with the Cabernet muscle.