Campo ai Sassi, meaning ‘field of stones,’ is the Rosso di Montalcino produced by Castelgiocondo, the Frescobaldi family’s flagship estate in Montalcino. As a Rosso di Montalcino, Campo ai Sassi is made from the same Sangiovese Grosso variety as Castelgiocondo’s Brunello di Montalcino but under different regulatory requirements: the Rosso is released earlier, typically requiring only one year of ageing, and draws on younger vine fruit and parcels not designated for Brunello production. The result is a wine of more immediate approachability and lighter structure than the Brunello, designed to offer the distinctive character of the Montalcino terroir in a format suitable for earlier consumption.

Castelgiocondo’s south-western Montalcino position, on galestro and alberese soils at 300 to 450 metres elevation, provides the raw material for Campo ai Sassi’s character: a Rosso of notable mineral precision, cherry fruit freshness and the moderate tannin and acidity that distinguishes south-western Montalcino wines from the more austere productions of the north-eastern sector. The 2023 vintage in Montalcino is among the most recent releases, and critical assessments were still emerging at the time of this batch preparation. The vintage itself was shaped by the weather patterns that have characterised much of central Italy’s recent growing seasons, with heat management and early harvesting playing important roles.

Campo ai Sassi is distributed internationally through the Frescobaldi network and functions as an accessible entry point to the Castelgiocondo range for consumers exploring Montalcino without committing to the investment and patience required by the estate’s Brunello and Riserva releases. The wine has a proven track record of drinking well in its youth while retaining the terroir character and structural integrity that distinguish estate-grown Rosso di Montalcino from more generically produced examples. For restaurants and private cellars seeking a well-sourced, terroir-honest Sangiovese with the Frescobaldi provenance and Montalcino pedigree, Campo ai Sassi represents consistent value.

Bright ruby with an inviting nose of fresh cherry, wild raspberry, dried herbs, violet and the characteristic mineral note of the Castelgiocondo galestro soils. Medium-bodied on the palate with supple tannins, lively acidity and a clean, focused finish. An excellent gastronomic red; drink from 2024 through 2028.