Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG – 2018
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Label
- The Label: The Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva label features the della Volpaia family coat of arms. The family took its name from the village of Volpaia itself. Lorenzo della Volpaia (1446-1512), an architect, goldsmith, mathematician and clockmaker, founded a Florentine dynasty of clockmakers and scientific-instrument makers that included his sons Camillo, Benvenuto and Eufrosino, and nephew Girolamo. As clockmaker, Lorenzo gained fame and honor with the construction of the Orologio dei Pianeti (Planetary Clock). Lorenzo also built the clock at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. He was a friend of Leonardo da Vinci and took part in the discussions on the placement of Michelangelo’s David. The della Volpaia family instruments are on display at the Science Museums in Florence and Greenwich (United Kingdom), the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: Casavecchia, Casetto, Castellino, Campo a Prato, Pratolino, Santa Caterina, Santa Maria Novella, Vignavecchia
- Cultivation: Certified organic
- Vine Age: Planted 1970-2002
- Soil: All vineyards have light soil consisting of sandstone except Castellino and Santa Maria Novella, which are composed of clay.
- Elevation: On slopes between 400-600 meters (1,300-1,970 feet)
- Exposure: South, southeast, southwest
- Density: 1,038-2,306 vines/acre
- Training: Guyot
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Vintage Report
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A warm March was followed by a rather cold and rainy April and May. Early June was met with great weather that gave way to a hot and dry July. Heat and scattered rains from mid-July to the end of August guaranteed a correct water supply in the soil. This mixture of weather continued during September into the first half of October. Blooming and flowering were delayed for 10 days. In June, the vines started a sudden and vigorous development. Veraison began with some delay and continued fairly slowly. Harvest started a few days later compared to previous years.
- Harvest Date(s): October 1 - October 12
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 24 months in oak casks (combination of Slovenian and French) and minimum 3 months in bottle.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.8 g/L
- RS: 0.6 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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The Chianti Classico Riserva has a ruby-red hue with a trace of garnet. The nose is elegant, displaying hints of spice and fruit. This a well-structured wine with smooth tannins and a long finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG – 2018 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
Marked by ripe, fresh black cherry and black currant fruit, this red is fleshy and bright, with eucalyptus, tobacco and earth accents adding detail as this winds down on the solidly built finish.
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Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG — 2018 – Vinous – 93 Points
The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is fabulous. There are more 'important' wines in the range, but the Riserva delivers superb quality for the money. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice and cloves show a darker side of Sangiovese that is quite attractive. Ample and virile in feel, the 2018 has the stuffing to develop well for many years to come.
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Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG — 2018 – Decanter – 93 Points
With purity and precision, strawberry, tobacco, vanilla and forest earth emerge from the glass. This is well-proportioned and balanced in ripeness with a core of concentrated red cherry. Fresh acidity props it up and smooth, rounded tannins frame the whole.