Il Caggio Ipsus 2021

Il Caggio Ipsus 2021, a precise Sangiovese from Chianti

There is a lively freshness in this Ipsus that gives the Sangiovese an immediate lift, without erasing the depth it gained in the cellar. I recommend it for its balance rather than its power: black cherry, balsamic herbs, spice and minerality make up a nuanced wine, both frank and contemplative. Its body stays contained, but its finish hints at lovely developments.

A singular vineyard in the heart of Chianti Classico

Il Caggio refers both to a medieval village and to the estate that bears its name, in the middle of Tuscan hills planted with Sangiovese. The Mazzei family pursues a careful reading of origin there: plots and clones are vinified separately in order to preserve their differences. Ipsus is presented as a single-vineyard cuvée, made from seven Sangiovese clones, four of which come from decades of the estate's own research. The vines reach up to 350 meters in altitude, a setting where freshness and depth can answer each other. The wine is labeled DOCG Chianti Classico and belongs to the Gran Selezione category.

The winemaking follows a classic rhythm: three weeks of fermentation on the skins, followed by roughly eighteen months of aging. This combines new barrels, stainless steel tanks and concrete tanks; the description also mentions aging in oak casks. On the nose, I find an appealing blend of black cherries and fresh herbs. The palate unfolds black cherry and juicy blackberry, supported by a touch of spice and a pleasant minerality. Balsamic herbs, dark chocolate and an earthy note reminiscent of iron oxide add depth. The finish, discreetly marked by blood orange, extends the whole without heaviness. It is a red wine in which freshness keeps its place through the successive aromatic layers.

At the table, with flavors that answer it

I would serve it with game, red meat or a characterful cured meat: their flavors support the dark fruit and spicy notes without masking the wine's finesse. Aged cheeses offer another good pairing, especially if you want to extend the meal around more earthy and balsamic nuances. Production is minimal and few vintages are offered; this makes it all the more worth choosing for a table where one takes the time to savor. Leave it a little room in the glass to follow its evolution, then return to the finish, where blood orange and minerality give a profile less massive than deep. If you are looking for a Chianti Classico Sangiovese built on precision, freshness and the expression of place, Ipsus 2021 deserves a place at your table.