Vinsanto del Chianti Classico DOC – 2013
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Introduction
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Vin Santo has been an important part of Tuscan wine history since the Middle Ages. There are many theories about the origin of its name. A legend from Siena tells of a friar who in 1348 cured the sick with the wine normally used by the brothers to celebrate mass. Word spread that this was a miraculous wine, leading to the name “santo,” or “holy,” — although another less picturesque explanation cannot be ruled out, which is simply the association of this wine with its customary use during the mass. The recognition of the Vin Santo del Chianti DOC in August 1997 marked an important stage in the quality evaluation of this highly traditional Tuscan wine.
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Label
- The Label: The Vinsanto del Chianti Classico label features the Commenda di Sant’Eufrosino, the second of four churches built within the city’s walls. Attributed to Italian architect and sculptor Michelozzo di Bartolomeo (1396-1472), the church was built in 1443 by request of the Canigiani family who lived in Volpaia. One of the family members wished to join the Knights of Malta, a religious order and military brotherhood ruled by a Grand Master that answered only to the Pope. The Knights of Malta required that the Canigianis build a church in Volpaia before joining the religious order. The Commenda was deconsecrated in 1932 and declared a national monument in 1981. For 13 years, until 1993, the Commenda housed a renowned art collection. The Commenda is now used for dinners, tastings and other events and its basement contains one of Volpaia’s barrel-aging cellars.
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: Casalino
- Cultivation: Certified organic
- Composition: Trebbiano, Malvasia Bianca del Chianti
- Size: 0.62 hectare (1.53 acres)
- Vine Age: Planted 1988
- Soil: Sandstone and clay
- Elevation: 650 meters (2,130 feet)
- Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
- Training: Guyot
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): September 23
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Vinification
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Volpaia uses the same labor-intensive process that was used hundreds of years ago to produce its Vinsanto. Towards the end of the growing season, before Volpaia harvested its white grapes, the winery picked the best bunches of Trebbiano and Malvasia to go into the Vinsanto. The grapes were taken to the winery’s vinsantaia (left), a special attic where the bunches were hung from chains tied to the rafters and dried. The windows were kept open in the vinsantaia for the next few months, ensuring that the air in the large room was constantly being circulated. On February 10, once the grapes’ sugar reached optimum levels, they were pressed and the juice put through a natural process of clarification. The highly-concentrated must was then fermented for five years in small caratelli oak barrels already containing “madre,” or “mother,” — a remnant of the thick residue left over from Vinsanto that had already been bottled.
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 6.5g/L
- RS: 112g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Scintillating amber. It is a full, balanced wine with intense flavors of cane sugar, apricot jam and sultan grapes. Warm and luscious with an almond finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico – 2013 – Vinous – 94 Points
Lifted, gracious and beautifully perfumed the 2013 Vinsanto del Chianti Classico is a wine with real character. Dried orange peel, dried flowers, autumn leaves and almonds are woven together in a Vin Santo of real distinction and class. The blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia, both white varieties, yields a wine that emphasizes aromatics and mid-weight structure.
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Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico – 2013 – James Suckling – 92 Points
This is a very powerful and concentrated vin santo, which smells like tarte tatin. It also has some apple acidity, but that doesn’t stop it feeling rather massive on the palate. Drink now.
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Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico – 2013 – The Wine Advocate – 94 Points
The 2013 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (packed in a 375-milliliter bottle) pours from its tiny bottle with sparkling intensity, showing brilliant rays of gold, amber and polished copper. The bouquet is robust, fragrant and specifically distinguished by luscious honey, brown sugar and marron glacé...