Metafisica IGT Toscana Bianco Castello Romitorio 2020

Metafisica IGT Toscana Bianco is the result of over 25 years of research on Chardonnay vines planted at high altitude near Castello Romitorio in north-west Montalcino. 2020 was the first vintage produced following this research.

The project, started by Sandro Chia in 1997, was based on the notion of creating a physical and theoretical space - or in Italian ‘spazio’ - in which the concept of Chardonnay could be explored freely. After years of researching the correct plot, rootstock, and clone, Filippo Chia finally completed his father’s work and identified the right ‘spazio’ suited to Chardonnay.

Despite being a mere 0.2 hectares and producing only 1200 bottles, the terroir of this vineyard is very special as it sits at an altitude of 300m on a layer of prehistoric oyster shells. During vinification, the juice is macerated on the skins for 48 hours at low temperatures, before gentle pressing and cooling for a further 48 hours. After natural settling, the liquid starts the fermentation process. The subsequent wine rests on the lees in Barriques for 9 months, followed by a period of bottle aging in their temperature-controlled cellar until release.

Castello Romitorio was a half renovated abandoned wreck when artist Sandro Chia purchased it in 1984. What was left of the building had been abandoned after WW2 and used only by shepherds until Baron Giorgio Franchetti, a historic building restorer, purchased it in the 1970s. He abandoned his plan (I didn’t say he was a successful building restorer) and sold the property to Sandro who completed the work and brought the building back to life as his home and art studio. The building had been built originally in the 12th century as an imposing hilltop fortress to guard the town of Montalcino. In the late 1980’s Sandro set about restoring the land around the castle back to its former glory with an overhaul of the vineyards. New cellars were constructed in 2005 and Filippo, Sandro’s son became an integral part of the team. The wines have become internationally recognised as elegant expressions of Sangiovese that flirt between the modern and classic style.