Ad Astra Nittardi 2021* is one of the most famous wines from Nittardi winery in Tuscany. It delivers the elegance and complexity of a Super Tuscan—without the hefty price tag! With finesse and depth that you can already enjoy while it’s still young, it fully justifies the 94 points awarded by James Suckling.
Nittardi winery has a history dating back to 1183 and is far more than just a place where wine is made—it's a monument to Italian winemaking tradition. In the 16th century, it was owned by none other than Michelangelo Buonarroti, who, while painting the Sistine Chapel, would send wine from the estate as a gift to the Pope in Rome. That tradition continues to this day, with each vintage first being presented to the Pope! In 1982, the estate was acquired by Peter Femfert and his wife Stefania Canali. Since then, Nittardi has blended its artistic heritage with modern winemaking excellence. In the late 1990s, vineyards in Maremma were added to the estate’s holdings—an up-and-coming area full of promise.
Ad Astra Nittardi 2021* comes from vineyards in the Maremma region of southwestern Tuscany, just 8 km from the sea and at an elevation of 250 meters. The grapes are organically grown in the Mongibello delle Mandorlaie vineyards and the blend includes 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot. The wine was aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (10% new), followed by a few months in concrete tanks. It was then bottled and aged for another 4 months before release.
It’ll be hard to resist Ad Astra 2021 Nittardi*, because it’s already bursting with flavor and ready to enjoy. But if you do manage to wait, you’ll be rewarded with a wine that evolves beautifully, offering aromas of ripe fruit, sweet spices, and silky tannins. Can you hold out?
Its name comes from the Latin phrase “Per Aspera Ad Astra,” meaning “a rough road leads to the stars.”
