Castello di Volpaia : Coltassala Gran Selezione 2019

The complexity and the structure 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 grapes. 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 wine

The estate's first Super Tuscan, the first Coltassala Gran Selezione was produced in 1980.

The vintage

The heat of March was followed by cool, wet weather in April and May. June turned out to be sunny and saw intense heat episodes until the end of August. Some restorative rains softened the summer period, keeping soil humidity at an adequate level. September and October alternated between sunshine and rain, providing ideal conditions for ripening the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

Following the harvests, done by hand, this Chianti Classico wine benefitted from 24 months of ageing in new French oak barrels. Ageing in bottles for six months took place after that.

Blend

Sangiovese (95%)
Mammolo (5%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Coltassala Gran Selezione 2019 from Castello di Volpaia

Tasting

Colour
The wine stands out for its lively ruby colour.

Nose
The nose unveils a complex bouquet, mingling scents of vanilla and cocoa.

Palate
The palate presents a lovely structure, underpinned by a complex and elegant character.

To serve

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

Food and wine pairing

This Italian wine pairs perfectly with dishes such as ribeye steak, osso buco or mature cheeses.

Storage

Coltassala Gran Selezione 2019 from Castello di Volpaia can be laid down until 2035.