VOLPAIA COLTASSALA GRAN SELEZIONE 2018

Castello di Volpaia is an 11th-century fortified village in the Chianti Classico region, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and modern winemaking. The village, which was a founding member of the Chianti League in 1250, was partially acquired by Raffaello Stianti in 1966 and given to his daughter Giovannella and her husband Carlo Mascheroni. They modernized the winery while preserving the village s historic structures, innovating with temperature-controlled fermentation and an underground wineduct system. The Stianti Mascheroni family now owns most of the village, managing 46 hectares of vineyards at high elevations (450-600 meters) and practicing organic farming. Volpaia is notable for its integration of winemaking into village life, with many residents involved in wine production, making it both a tourist destination and a thriving rural community. Coltassala is a prestigious wine produced by Castello di Volpaia in the Chianti Classico region. Originally released in 1980 as a Super-Tuscan, it exemplifies the evolution of Tuscan winemaking. The wine is sourced from the 3.53-hectare Coltassala vineyard, which sits at an elevation of 518 meters. Certified organic, the vineyard primarily grows Sangiovese (95%) with a small amount of Mammolo (5%). Coltassala underwent a classification shift from Super-Tuscan to Chianti Classico Riserva Cru, reflecting changes in Italian wine regulations. The wine is aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels, followed by at least 6 months in the bottle. With 14% alcohol content, Coltassala is described as a well-structured, complex wine with an elegant nose featuring hints of vanilla, cacao, and fruit.