Castello di Volpaia : Il Puro Gran Selezione 2020

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Il Puro Gran Selezione 2020 from Castello di Volpaia

Tasting

Color

The color reveals an intense, bright ruby red hue, with medium density that reflects a well-controlled extraction.

Nose

The nose displays lovely aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe red fruits (raspberry, cherry, wild berries) enhanced by elegant nuances of tobacco, incense, dried leaves, and sweet spices. Mineral touches and woodland aromas add depth to the bouquet, with accents of dried orange peel. The whole expresses great, aristocratic finesse, intertwining violet, vanilla, and cocoa to create an aromatic profile of remarkable persistence.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is dense and complex, carried by an exceptionally fine tannic framework. The attack shows beautiful tension with intense flavors of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and mineral notes. The velvety, perfectly integrated tannins lend structure and elegance without any harshness. Lively acidity brings freshness and purity, supporting a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel. The finish stands out for its remarkable persistence, with notes of licorice, spices, leather, and underbrush that linger at length.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Chianti Classico Gran Selezione pairs beautifully with grilled red meats such as a ribeye steak, truffle tagliata, or beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms. It also accompanies slow-cooked dishes with elegance, such as Tuscan-style brasato, herb lamb stew, or cinghiale al cacao. Truffle- and mushroom-based dishes, like porcini risotto or tagliatelle with game ragù, also make excellent partners. Finally, this wine elevates aged cheeses such as Tuscan pecorino or well-aged Parmesan.

Serving and Cellaring

Il Puro Gran Selezione 2020 can be enjoyed now, but it also offers excellent aging potential thanks to its tannic structure and balance. Decanting for one hour allows its full aromatic complexity to emerge. Ideally serve between 16 and 18°C.

An exceptional Chianti Classico Gran Selezione born of Tuscan Sangiovese biodiversity

The estate

Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Castello di Volpaia is a medieval treasure where time seems to have stood still. Its stone houses, cobblestone lanes, and fortified towers make this haven of beauty a timeless hamlet. Built in 1172, the estate is one of the most significant architectural testimonies to the glory and prestige of the Chianti region. Owned by the Stianti Mascheroni family since the 1970s, Castello di Volpaia enjoys an outstanding vineyard spanning 46 hectares of vines. Organic farming, massal selections, indigenous clones—the estate tends its vines with the greatest care.

The vineyard

The Casanova vineyard, planted in 2001 at 480 meters of altitude on a south-southeast-facing slope, is a true conservatory of Sangiovese biodiversity. It is home to 25 indigenous clones selected and propagated from the estate’s historic old vines dating back to 1943, which miraculously survived the phylloxera epidemic. These ungrafted vines represent a unique genetic heritage. The sandstone terroir gives the wine its distinctive minerality. Vineyard management follows the principles of certified organic farming, without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, in keeping with the natural balances specific to this altitude of Chianti Classico.

The vintage

The year 2020 in Tuscany was marked by widespread summer drought, tempered by moderate water stress. These conditions made it possible to obtain perfectly healthy grapes with thick skins and ripe seeds. The vintage is characterized by slightly less concentration than previous years, but greater elegance and aromatic purity, with particularly vibrant acidity that brings freshness and tension to the wine.

Vinification and aging

Il Puro Gran Selezione 2020 is vinified parcel by parcel with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, accompanied by manual pump-overs. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 30 months in large casks and barrels, allowing its aromatic complexity to develop while preserving the purity of the fruit. This long maturation gives the wine its noble structure and exceptional aging potential.

Grape variety

100% Sangiovese, from 25 indigenous clones grown in the Casanova vineyard.