“Il Caggio IPSUS” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020

Castello di Fonterutoli | Il Caggio | Tuscany
Marchesi Mazzei S.p.A. Agr. | V. Ottone III di Sassonia 5 | IT 53011 Castellina

09354720 · 0,75 l · 493,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping9 units available

With this single-vineyard Sangiovese, the Mazzei family is pursuing no less a goal than making the best wine in the Chianti Classico appellation. Seven different Sangiovese clones, four of them from the family's own 50-year-old research, form the basis for a Gran Selezione, which is produced at an altitude of up to 350 metres in the single vineyard Il Caggio not far from Castellina (and only in the best vintages).

Ipsus ferments traditionally for three weeks on the skins and matures 50% in new tonneaux, 50% in stainless steel and eight months in cement barrels. Rose petals, mint, blood orange and sweet tobacco on the nose. On the palate, it is denser than many other Chianti Classico and is very gripping with its pure, blood orange-infused, luscious red fruits on the characterful finish. After a few hours of aeration, it becomes more open, more floral and only then does Ipsus show its true and most aristocratic face and a breathtakingly classic structure. A wonderful and inviting wine, not only of the "old school", but of absolute special class! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, appealing ruby-garnet colour. Very finely characterised nose with notes of cherries, fresh plums and blood orange, some cedar wood in the background. Polished on the palate, lots of fine-meshed tannins, very nicely worked out fruit, cherries and wild raspberries, juicy." Falstaff

"A Super-Gran Selezione from the Mazzei family, produced on the Caggio estate near Castellina, which is dedicated exclusively to this wine: beguiling, multi-layered fruit aromas, notes of violets, liquorice and spices; extremely polished in the mouth, the tannins are fine-grained, the acidity is vivid, the complex finish is long and multi-faceted, but does not lack lightness either." Vinum

"The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus 2020 is magnificent. Cedar wood, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers, spices and blood orange open up first in the aroma. The 2020 is multi-layered and wide-ranging and exudes class. Around 40% of the batches were macerated under water, which gives the wine a classic flavour. But there is also a hint of exoticism. Beautiful floral and savoury nuances emerge on the finish. This is a very special wine." Vinous

"A core of cherry and raspberry fruit is framed by vanilla and resin notes in this intense red wine. Floral, iron and tobacco accents add depth and complexity, while the supple texture eventually gives way to dense tannins in the long aftertaste. It walks a line between power and elegance. The terrific length reveals its potential." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus was developed to produce fruitiness, freshness and transparency. The wine has been successful in every year I have tasted it (the first vintage was 2015), but I think that special attention should be paid to a vintage like 2020, which was rather warm. Indeed, the Ipsus offers primarily primary fruits, but also hints of smoke and light spices. There is cherry against caraway or cassis against cardamom. Despite its elegant frame, the wine shows good fruit fullness and length." Wine Advocate

"Unmistakably Chianti Classico in its bright and translucent colour, ferrous and animal notes overlay a mesmerising array of cherries, sandalwood, tobacco and damp earth, with a subtle frame of cinnamon and roasted coffee. Blood orange and iron dominate the concentrated but surprisingly bright mouthfeel. Youthful tannins underpin crisp red cherries, underbrush and seamlessly interwoven balsamic oak, loosening their grip in a superb finish." Decanter

"Unique aromas of hibiscus, cherries, violets, sandalwood and lychees. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied with very fine tannins that caress the mouth and leave a creamy impression. The tannins melt into the wine. Peach, citrus fruit and cherry on the finish. It is intensely fruity and yet very refined and balanced. An outstanding Chianti Classico. Wonderful to drink, but it will be even better from 2027." James Suckling