Castello di Volpaia Balifico 2020

Super Tuscan; Italy

94pts Parker’s 95pts Flastaff 95pts Luca Maroni WA SAVE 42%

Volpaia was one of the pioneers of the Super Tuscan movement with the first vintage in 1983 being a vino da tavola, the lowest of Tuscan classifictations just like Sassicaia and Ornellaia. The first Supertuscans were created in the 1970s by Chianti Classico producers who rejected a restrictive government regulation that dictated which grapes were required to go into wines labeled as from the region. As such, to identify those with superior quality, the international press informally introduced the term: Supertuscan. Nevertheless these high quality wines were soon acclaimed by the International press as Supertuscans.

The organic Volpaia 2020 Balifico is an IGT blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese . The Cabernet Sauvignon is impossible to miss, as this wine is very driven by aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and garden herb that are linked to that varietal. This is a medium to full-bodied red blend that also delivers the dusty crushed stone aromas that I associate with Sangiovese.

Balifico is unfolding with complex layers of tobacco, leather, plum, and violets. Fleshy and supple, with a round texture and finely polished tannins, it offers ripe and weightless notes of black cherry, forest floor, and mocha. Drink: 2025-2040.