Sammarco

About this wine

First released in 1980 (some sources cite the 1982 vintage as the true debut), Sammarco was one of the founding wines of the Super Tuscan movement and the first Chianti-zone wine to be built around Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French barriques. Alceo di Napoli Rampolla named it in memory of his son Marco, who died young in a helicopter accident. Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (typically 80%+) with small proportions of Merlot and Sangiovese, it shows dark fruit, graphite, incense and dried herbs, with a full, velvety structure and remarkable aging potential.

Sommelier's Note

"The wine that proved Chianti could make world-class Cabernet — still one of the most age-worthy Super Tuscans on the market."

Food Pairings

Built for red meat: grilled steak, roasted lamb, and game are classic matches. The firm tannins also stand up well to hard aged cheeses.

When to drink it

Special dinners, cellar-worthy gifts, milestone celebrations

Specs

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese

Style

Red

Price Range

¥9,500-13,000

Terroir & Winemaking

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (with Merlot and a small percentage of Sangiovese; proportions vary slightly by vintage) from biodynamically farmed estate vineyards. Aged 12-15 months in French oak barriques, followed by roughly two years of bottle aging before release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Sammarco considered a founding Super Tuscan?

Released in 1980, it was among the first wines from the Chianti zone built primarily around Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French barriques, breaking from DOCG rules to prioritize quality — a defining move of the Super Tuscan movement.

Where does the name Sammarco come from?

Alceo di Napoli Rampolla named the wine in memory of his son Marco, who died in a helicopter accident, giving the estate's most famous wine a deeply personal meaning.

What grapes make up Sammarco?

It is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (typically 80% or more) with smaller proportions of Merlot and Sangiovese; exact percentages shift slightly by vintage.

How long can Sammarco age?

Thanks to its structure and the estate's biodynamic farming, well-stored bottles are known to develop gracefully for two to three decades, with vintages from the 1980s and 1990s still drinking well today.