About Sassello
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Sangiovese
- Price Range
- $64-80
- Alcohol
- 14%
The estate's Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, made from 100% Sangiovese sourced from the single Querciolina vineyard. Named after the thrush ('sassello' in old Tuscan dialect) that stops in these vineyards during harvest. Aged in wooden vessels for a total of around 18 months including time in small tonneaux and barriques (75% Allier, 25% Vosges oak), followed by a minimum 6 months refining in bottle. Intense ruby red with garnet overtones; the nose offers cherry, blackberry and raspberry underlined by oak and vanilla, while the palate is elegant and complex with closely woven, fine tannins.
Sassello is the clearest proof that Verrazzano's Sangiovese, from a single limestone vineyard, doesn't need any help from other grapes to be genuinely great — it consistently scores in the low-to-mid 90s from critics for good reason.
New to wine?
The estate's top single-vineyard red — more concentrated and structured than the Riserva, best enjoyed with a special occasion.
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with roasts, game, and aged, ripe cheeses — dishes with enough richness to match its concentration and oak-derived spice.
When to drink it
Special occasions, fine dining, cellar-worthy gifts
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Sangiovese from the single Querciolina vineyard, organically farmed on limestone-rich soil in Greve in Chianti. Aged approximately 18 months in wood, including tonneaux and barriques (75% Allier oak, 25% Vosges oak), then a minimum of 6 months in bottle. Alcohol 14% vol. Serve at 18-20°C; suitable for extended cellaring.
About the producer
Castello di Verrazzano7th-century Chianti Classico estate, birthplace of navigator Verrazzano.Visit the producer page →More wines from Castello di Verrazzano
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is this wine called 'Sassello'?
- It is named after the thrush ('sassello' in old Tuscan dialect), a bird that stops in the Querciolina vineyard during the autumn harvest period.
- Is Sassello a single-vineyard wine?
- Yes, it is made from 100% Sangiovese grown exclusively in the estate's Querciolina vineyard, and is classified as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, the highest tier of Chianti Classico.
- How has Sassello been rated by wine critics?
- Recent vintages have scored consistently in the low-to-mid 90s (out of 100) from publications such as Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.
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