Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 2018

I’ve had to be careful with my allocations from Volpaia. A few years ago, it seemed I always had enough to go around but after being named Wine of the Year & receiving the highest Wine Spectator rating ever for a Chianti (even outpointing the 2010 Castello di Ama with its’ $400+ price tag), I’ve tried every trick in the book to not sell out too quickly.

This year, I even took every bottle of the 2018 Chianti Classico that they would part with – but I’m sure it won’t be nearly enough. With 93 points from James Suckling and 92 point score and sweet review from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous at today’s great price point, I’m sure this won’t last long.

But unlike the last 50 bottles of 2017 Riserva that I could only send to two dozen people (it still sold out within the hour), this time I’m releasing the hounds. First come; first served.

The 2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico is an absolute stunner and is my early runner for Italian Wine of the Year. Drawn from high-elevation, organic vineyards – this one features complex aromas that one would expect from a wine three times the cost.