Castello di Volpaia : Chianti Classico Riserva 2020

The elegance and complexity of a Tuscan red wine

The estate

Nestling in the heart of Tuscany, Castello di Volpaia is a medieval treasure where time seems to stand still. This small village’s stone houses, cobbled streets and fortified towers render this beautiful setting timeless. Built in 1172, the estate is one of the most important architectural testimonies to the glory and prestige of the Chianti region. Owned by the Stianti Mascheroni family since the 1970s, Castello di Volpaia boasts an exceptional 46 hectares of vineyards. With organic farming, massal sélections and indigenous clones, the estate looks after its vines with the utmost care.

The vineyard

Located between 1300 and 1900 feet above sea level, the Tuscan vineyards face south, south-east and south-west. This means that the vines enjoy perfect exposure to the sun, producing highly concentrated berries. The soil is predominantly sandstone, with the exception of the Castellino and Santa Maria Novella vineyards, which are dominated by clay. The vines are Guyot pruned to maximise exposure of the grapes to the sun and to aerate the bunches.

The vintage

Following a relatively warm winter and spring, the vintage saw early budburst and flowering. Heavy rainfall in May and June preceded a hot, dry summer, which ultimately led to slight water stress. Restorative rains came at the end of August and during the harvest. All these climatic conditions promise Chianti Classico wines of great elegance.

Winemaking and ageing

Following the harvests done by hand, the wine is aged over 24 months in French and Slavonic oak. A further 3 months of ageing in the bottle is carried out.

Grape variety

Sangiovese (100%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 from Castello di Volpaia

Tasting

Colour
The wine has a deep ruby colour.

Nose
The nose releases fragrances of red fruit mingled with spicy notes.

Palate
The palate has a lovely structure, unveiling silky tannins, leading to a lingering finish.

To serve

For the best tasting, this wine should be served at between 16 and 18°C.

Food and wine pairing

Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 from Castello di Volpaia pairs perfectly with a ribeye steak or a platter of mature cheeses.

Storage

This Italian wine can be laid down until 2035.