Podere Il Castellaccio

Flying under the radar, Il Castellaccio isn’t built on Bolgheri’s classic lines. It is one of a few with hillside vineyards (think Grattamacco altitude). Of course, the Bolgheri Superiore is the flagship, but it relies wholly and refreshingly on Cabernet Franc. Of the IGT wines, Valènte blends Sangiovose with the rare Foglia Tonda and Pugnitello with sapid appeal, and the amphora-aged Ardiglione is one of Tuscany’s more characterful Vermentinos. Owner Alessandro Scappini takes inspiration from Angelo Gaja who once said it up to the small producers to experiment.