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: 2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico

2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico

SKU #1486427 93 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark A racy, fine-tuned Chianti Classico with blackberry, black-cherry and wet-earth aromas. Medium-bodied with medium polished tannins and a long finish. Transparent. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Inner quote mark (6/2020)

Decanter

Outer quote mark Volpaia is an 11th century hamlet high up in the area of Radda-in-Chianti. Owned by the Stianti family since 1966, the property includes 43 hectares of vineyards planted mainly on sandstone or macigno as it is known in Chianti Classico. The 2018 shows beautiful purity of cherry nuanced by hints of mint and tarragon. There is a sneaky fleshiness of fruit on the palate and sufficient acidity to balance. While tannins aren't massive they provide a much welcome grip dissolving slowly and cleansing the palate. Lingers subtly. (MM) Inner quote mark (2/2020)

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2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico

Price: $19.99

Quantity:

JS: 93

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Product Reviews:

By: Greg St. Clair | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/11/2020 | Send Email

The nose says high altitude Chianti Classico, a focused combo of cherry fruit, Tuscan herbs, and a bit of earth. On the palate however the wine takes a different turn, the edges are smoothed out and the fruit becomes plumier while hints of chocolate smooth out the palate presence giving it depth and resonance. The finish is fresh, balanced and shows an easy drinkability while the flavors beg for a bit of food, so easy to drink on its own yet a marvelous food accompaniment, try it with your favorite pasta.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Sangiovese

- The most widely planted grape in Italy is Sangiovese, a high-acid grape with moderate to high tannins, apparent earthiness and subtle fruit. It is thought to have originated in Tuscany and its name, which translates to "blood of Jove," leads historians to believe it may date all the way back to the Etruscan period, though historical mentions only go as far back as the early 1700s. Though planted all over modern Italy, the most significant wines made from Sangiovese still come from Tuscany: Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese must make up 75% of a blend from the Chianti DOCG t be labeled as such, traditionally allowing for Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia for the remainder, though more recently small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot have been allowed. In Brunello di Montalcino the wine must be made entirely of Sangiovese. Prugnolo is Montepulciano's name for Sangiovese, and it is used there for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. In the DOC of Carmignano Sangiovese can be blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also Super Tuscans, IGT wines that blend Sangiovese with large proportions of Cabernet or Merlot. Elsewhere in Italy it is a workhorse grape, though it does find some success (though not the longevity) in the Montefalco and Torgiano wines of Umbria as well as the foundation of Rosso Piceno and a significant element of Rosso Conero from the Marches. Like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese has struggled to find footing outside of Italy, though in recent years California wineries have been having better fortune with grape plantings in the Sierra Foothills/El Dorado County, as well as Sonoma County and the Central Coast.

Country:

Italy

- Once named Enotria for its abundant vineyards, Italy (thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans) has had an enormous impact on the wine world. From the shores of Italy, the Romans brought grapes and their winemaking techniques to North Africa, Spain and Portugal, Germany, France, the Danube Valley, the Middle East and even England. Modern Italy, which didn't actually exist as a country until the 1870s, once produced mainly simple, everyday wine. It wasn't until the 1970s that Italy began the change toward quality. The 1980s showed incredible efforts and a lot of experimentation. The 1990s marked the real jump in consistent quality, including excellence in many Region that had been indistinct for ages. The entire Italian peninsula is seeing a winemaking revolution and is now one of the most exciting wine Region in the world.

Sub-Region:

Tuscany

Specific Appellation:

Chianti

- Chianti is the most famous wine name in Italy is not the name of a grape but actually a region. Chianti lies in the 35 miles of hills between Florence and Siena, a complex geological region as well as geographically. The extraordinary geography makes grape growing a very challenging feat with multiple exposures and soil types on the same estate. The region comprises 9 different communes not dissimilar to Bordeaux wherein each commune has a particular characteristic that shows in the wine. The wine is made predominantly Sangiovese, the grape must comprise at least 80% of the blend. Chianti Classico is the "classic" region, though many other nearby regions now use the name "Chianti" to make similar wines. The "Gallo Nero" or Black Rooster on many of the Chianti Classico bottles is a private consortium of producers who try and control the direction of production and quality amongst their members.

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