2018 - Chianti Classico Ipsus Gran Selezione, Caggio

Creamy tannins alongside supple redcurrant and cherry fruits, with tobacco leaf and crushed roses on the finish. Just crunchy enough to be mouthwatering, this captures the moreish drinkability of Sangiovese, coupled with a delicious sense of energy and balance. So good. Vines are southeast facing, located a few kilometres from Mazzei's Castello di Fonterutoli village in the commune of Il Caggio. Giovanni Mazzei owner and winemaker. Vinified in stainless steel, native yeast fermentation, aged in French oak barrels, followed by 14 months in bottle before release.

The 2018 Ipsus Chianti Classico Caggio Gran Selezione has more delicate, beauitfully floral aromas such as rose petal, sweet herb and bright red cherry with an almost Pinot Noir-like expessive red fruit on the nose but also distinctive Sangiovese chalkiness. This wine expresses the finer side of Sangiovese in a fresher vintage like 2018. For me there is much greater harmony and balance on this 2018 than in the two previous vintageswith more range and subtle nuance of flavors, while it manages to be unforced and elegant. The weight and texture is great, not huge, but it dances brightly across the palate with some macchia mediterranea wild herb notes. It is easily the best Ipsus so far, and drinking beautifully now even though it is still young.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus remains light and also a bit austere, although I note it is gradually emerging from its shell. There's quite a bit of nervous tension that remains, and that I think it will always be part of the wine's personality. I have tasted the 2018 numerous times and it has always been rather severe in its contours.