2020 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2020 vintage began with a relatively warm winter and spring that resulted in the vines budding and flowering early. Temperatures dropped in the first 3 weeks of June only to rise again immediately and remain high throughout the summer. A particularly dry winter, but it rained abundantly in May and the first half of June. Rain stopped almost completely over the summer, but started again in August and during the harvest. Summer was hot and dry and the vines only underwent moderate water stress. Harvest took place a week earlier than in recent years. The grapes were perfectly healthy with thick skins and ripe seeds. The 2020 vintage produced wines that are a bright color and have a good acidity level without an excessive alcohol content. Compared to previous years they seem less concentrated but are more elegant. 24 months in oak casks (combination of Slovenian and French) and minimum 3 months in bottle.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Volpaia dates back to 1172. In 1250, Volpaia was a founding member of the Lega del Chianti (Chianti League). The Florentine Republic formed the Lega by dividing its communities into three districts — Castellina, Radda, Gaiole — and allotting each a certain amount of territory. Volpaia was included in the League’s Terziere di Radda. The territories were front-line garrison towns for Florence in the Florentine-Sienese wars, and the emblem for the Chianti League was the “Gallo Nero,” or “Black Rooster” — the current trademark for Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico.

One of the highest-elevation winery in the Chianti area, Castello di Volpaia owns 46 hectares (114 acres) of vineyards, which are situated at 450 to 600 meters (1,300 to 2,130 feet) on the southern hillsides leading up to the village.

Volpaia is committed to organic farming practices in all of its estate vineyards and complies with all of the organic viticulture legislation in the production of its wines (European Community Legislation, rg CE 834/2007 Organic Agricolture; EU Certification 203/3012 for Organic Wine; Controller Q Certificazioni srl).