Castello di Volpaia

Tuscany, Italy

Balifico, Toscana IGT — 2021

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • The Balifico vineyard shares its name and location with a villa. The first Super-Tuscans were created in the 1970s by Chianti producers who rejected government mandates that determined which grapes were required to go into their wine, especially white grapes like Malvasia and Trebbiano. The Super-Tuscans were also treated differently from Chianti, aged in small French barriques rather than in large Slovenian casks. Because they did not follow DOC regulations, the Super-Tuscans were entitled only to the lowest official designation of the time — vino da tavola. It wasn’t until 1994 that the government recognized the high quality of the Super-Tuscans and gave the wine its own category — IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica).

    • Vineyards: Balifico (bawl-ee-FEE-co)
    • Size: 12.4 total (7.66 Sangiovese; 4.74 Cabernet Sauvignon)
    • Vine Age: Average is 20-25 years old (ongoing planting since the 1980s)
    • Soil: Sandstone
    • Elevation: Sangiovese: 470 meters (1,542 feet); Cabernet Sauvignon: 450 meters (1,475 feet)
    • Exposure: South-southwest (Sangiovese); Southwest (Cabernet Sauvignon)
    • Density: Sangiovese: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre); Cabernet Sauvignon: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
    • Training: Sangiovese: Guyot; Cabernet Sauvignon: Cordon spur
  • Vinification

    • Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak
  • Tasting Notes

    • The Balifico has a vivid ruby color with a dark purple tinge. The nose is elegant, displaying aromas of blackberry and blueberry with hints of oak and cinnamon. This is a smooth wine with good structure and a long finish tasting of red fruit.