Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2018 Vineyard la Prima by Castello Vicchiomaggio, 93 Pts JS

The Vintage was a great Vintage.La Prima 2018

CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE

Classification: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Production Area: Chianti Classico
Grape Varieties: Sangiovese 95%, Merlot %
Alcohol Content: 13,5%
Available formats: 750ml

Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico La Prima Gran Selezione 2018 JamesSuckling.com

Score James Suckling

This has vibrant notes of plums, cherry stones, peaches, cloves, and bay leaves. Some iodine, too. It’s medium-to-full-bodied with firm, finely knit tannins. Excellent balance and freshness with juicy stone fruit. Firm at the end. Drink after 2023.

Vineyard Information: La Prima, a 2.2Ha plot of Sangiovese, with a planting density of 5000 vines/Ha. on heavy clay (30%) at an altitude of 250 mt. Single Guyot pruning, very low yields of about 30Hl/Ha.

Vinification & Maturation:
Vinification: Small (50Hl.) stainless fermentation vats ensure maximum skin/juice contact for a period of about 15 days.
Maturation: 18 months in new 225 lt. French barriques followed by about 8 months in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes: Ruby red with brick red undertones. Notes of cherry and ripe fruits. Extremely elegant, not overpowering, plenty of tannins but smooth and rounded. Enjoyable now but will develop very well over the years.