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90 Points - James Suckling
91 Insider Points
REVIEWS
"A fresh and refined Chianti Classico with dried cherries, lemon rind and other citrus fruit. Medium body, clean fruit and a bright finish".
-James Suckling
A Chianti Ripe for the Picking
You know the Italians drink wine with near every dinner? Many a lunch as well, it's really just a part of life in the Old World. Their philosophy of wine is one of wholesome sustenance, an enrichment to your body and your soul. Chianti is but one of the wines sprung from this philosophy, and Albola brings us a Classico to warm your heart and your belly.
It starts with a pleasing cherry cream nose, warming the senses. The palate shows red currant and cherry, with a splash of passionfruit and light oak tannins. The blackberry finish is a juicy, dusty ride. I don't know about you, I'm looking forward to my dinner tonight.
91 Points - JZ April '18
WHY WE LOVE IT
-
BLEND
100% Sangiovese -
APPELLATION
Tuscany, Italy -
ALCOHOL
13.00% -
SIZE
750ml
This Chianti scored 90 points with James Suckling. “Pretty scents of woodland berry, fragrant purple flower and baking spice float out of the glass,” writes the Wine Enthusiast, adding: “The vibrant, straightforward palate offers crushed wild cherry, white pepper and a hint of star anise alongside bright acidity and sleek tannins.” While Bruce Sanderson of winespectator.com called this wine 'vibrant and long' and suggested a drinking window extending through 2020. And this glorious Chianti also took home a Gold Medal from the Winemaker’s Challenge International Wine Competition. Drink now.
· The Castello di Albola was built in the 15th Century by the Acciauoli family of Florence.
· The Chianti Classico DOCG is a specialized terroir noted for its alberese- and galestro-rich soils. The ground here is distinctly stonier than in the rest of the larger Chianti zone, which results in more concentrated wines with increased grip, tannin and depth.
· Albola was purchased by the Zonin family—famous as a committed clan of quality vintners since 1821.
· This Volpaia Chianti Classico was made in a great vintage for the region. According to the Wine Spectator: “2013 looks like a very good to excellent harvest for most grape varieties.” Parker gave the 2013 vintage 92 points in the Chianti zone.
Not a household name (at least not yet) Castello di Albola is heads and shoulders above most Chianti Classico wines, and not just figuratively speaking. The estate’s vineyards have the distinction of being the highest altitude vines in the entire Chianti Classico zone. The wine made from these vines is a flawless, authentic red that when opened at the table makes your best pasta dish taste somehow even better.
TASTING NOTES
From the winemaker:
Ruby-red tending towards garnet. Elegant, with delicate scents of violets. Well-balanced and dry, with good structure and a velvety texture.
THE STORY TO KNOW
Castello d'Albola is an Tuscan estate in the heart of the iconic Chianti Classico wine region. Its vineyards are dominated by Chianti's infamous grape variety, Sangiovese, complemented by smaller vineyard plots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo, as well as the white grape varieties of Malvasia and Trebbiano that are cultivated specifically for the estate's Vin Santo del Chianti Classico wine.
Today, Castello d'Albola comprises 150 hectares (371 acres) of vineyards planted between 1150-1805ft (350-550m) above sea level, in limestone and clay soils. The estate is also planted with more than 4000 olive trees from which Castello d'Albola produces its own extra virgin olive oil.
PERFECT PAIRINGS
It is a perfect accompaniment for the richly flavored dishes of the traditional Chianti cuisine, as well as for grilled meats and aged cheeses.
