2022 Santa Barbara Stefano Antonucci Animale Celeste Sauvignon Blanc, Marche

From the sunlit hills near the Adriatic coast in Marche, Stefano Antonucci has long been one of the great champions of modern Italian white wine. Through his Santa Barbara estate, founded in the 1990s, he helped transform perceptions of the region by crafting vibrant, expressive wines that marry Mediterranean warmth with freshness and precision. Animale Celeste Sauvignon Blanc shows his more playful, contemporary side, capturing the energy of coastal vineyards where sea breezes, calcareous soils and bright light shape fruit of aromatic clarity and lively tension.

A pale straw hue with green flashes signals freshness from the first glance. The nose is lifted and engaging, revealing passionfruit, lime leaf and white peach layered with elderflower, tomato vine and a subtle mineral whisper that hints at the nearby sea. There is both exuberance and refinement in the aromatics, offering immediate charm while still inviting a second thoughtful swirl.

On the palate the wine is crisp and flowing, delivering flavours of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus zest wrapped around vibrant acidity and a gently rounded mid palate. A delicate herbal nuance and saline edge carry through the finish, keeping everything bright, mouthwatering and wonderfully food friendly. Best enjoyed over the next three to five years while its aromatic vitality and balance remain at their peak.

This is a Sauvignon Blanc that thrives in joyful, flavour filled settings. Imagine it alongside Stanley Tucci’s zucchini pasta glistening with olive oil and parmesan, grilled prawns with lemon and herbs, or an Ottolenghi style spread of roasted vegetables, tahini and fresh herbs. Stefano Antonucci Animale Celeste brings a sense of seaside ease and Italian conviviality to the glass, perfect for long lunches, warm evenings and tables where conversation flows as freely as the wine.