{"product_id":"castellani-valpolicella-classico-borgata-750ml","title":"Michele Castellani 2023 Valpolicella Classico Borgata DOC 750ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBorgata is Michele Castellani's genuinely accessible entry point into a family estate whose real reputation rests on its acclaimed Amarone and Ripasso — the same 17 hectares of hillside vineyard in Marano della Valpolicella, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone, just presented here in the lightest, most immediate style the family produces. As the estate's own copy describes it: \"a typical light and fruity Valpolicella grown on the beautiful slopes of Castellani's Classico vineyards.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 2023 vintage is made primarily from Corvina, grown on clay and limestone soils in a mild-to-cool continental microclimate shaped by proximity to both Lake Garda and the Adriatic Sea. Production follows a genuinely careful process for a wine at this level: rotary crushing with stripping, followed by soft pressing, then fermentation and maceration at a controlled 78.8°F for eight days to ensure good extraction of color and tannin — real attention to detail for a wine meant to be enjoyed young and fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eVine Connections' own tasting notes describe the wine as \"pleasant and fruity, with notes of cherry and red fruits,\" the palate \"fresh, vibrant and balanced.\" SaratogaWine's tasting confirms a \"brilliant ruby red\" color, with an \"intense\" bouquet of \"fruity notes of morello cherry and cherry,\" the taste \"savory, soft and elegant.\" The prior 2022 vintage of this exact wine earned a genuine 91-point \"Best Buy\" designation from Wine Enthusiast — a real vote of confidence for a wine at this accessible price point. This is genuinely easy-drinking, food-friendly Valpolicella — built for pasta night, roasted chicken, or a simple cheese plate, from a family whose more serious wines have earned genuine international acclaim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMichele Castellani is a family-owned winery based in Marano della Valpolicella, in Italy's Veneto region, farming approximately 17 hectares of directly owned vineyard in the hillside area of Valpolicella Classica. While the family's primary focus and passion lies in producing acclaimed Amarone and Ripasso wines, Borgata represents their lighter, more immediate Valpolicella Classico expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 2023 vintage is made primarily from Corvina, grown on clay and limestone soils in Valpolicella Classico's mild-to-cool continental climate, shaped by the region's proximity to Lake Garda to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the southeast. Production involves rotary crushing with stripping, soft pressing, and fermentation with maceration at a controlled temperature of 78.8°F for eight days to ensure proper color and tannin extraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNo independently confirmed critic score is available for the 2023 vintage specifically. The prior 2022 vintage of this exact wine received:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast — 91 Points, Best Buy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVine Connections (official tasting note):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Pleasant and fruity, with notes of cherry and red fruits. The palate is fresh, vibrant and balanced.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaratogaWine.com (official tasting note, 2023 vintage):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Color: Brilliant ruby red. Bouquet: Intense with fruity notes of morello cherry and cherry. Taste: Savory, soft and elegant.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrilliant ruby red in color. Intense morello cherry and cherry lead, joined by fresh red fruit character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFresh, vibrant, and balanced, with cherry and red fruit carrying through, savory and soft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElegant and clean, closing with pleasant, easy-drinking fruit persistence — genuinely built for immediate enjoyment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eValpolicella Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCorvina-based blend\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2023\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichele Castellani\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarano della Valpolicella — 17 hectares\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoils\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClay and limestone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eControlled temperature (78.8°F), 8 days maceration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWine Enthusiast 91 Points, Best Buy (2022 vintage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA light, fresh, fruity Valpolicella — the accessible side of an estate best known for serious Amarone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCherry, red fruits, savory notes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalian cold cuts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePasta with tomato sauce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoasted chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMozzarella and fresh cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45157153243202,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Michele_Castellani_2023_Valpolicella_Classico_Borgata_DOC_750ml.jpg?v=1788985657","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/castellani-valpolicella-classico-borgata-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}