Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico 2020

$20.00

Straight Sangiovese from Panzano in Chianti, off vines surrounding the estate in the Conca d'Oro. Cafaggio has been farmed since at least 1408, when a parchment still held in the estate archive called it Cahago, an enclosed cultivated field. Hand-picked in late September, fermented at controlled temperature, malolactic left to happen on its own. Twelve months in 65-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks, then three in bottle. James Suckling gave the 2020 ninety-two points.

Cherry and raspberry lead, with fine herbs and sweet spice behind. Medium-bodied and rounded, fine tannins, vivid acidity doing as much work as the structure. Fruit, spice and a mineral edge on a lively finish.

Classic matches for Sangiovese: Red-sauce pasta, pizza from a real oven, salumi, Pecorino.

The estate sits at around 320 metres in Panzano, on silty clay loam over grey and olive-green marl limestone and calcareous sandstone. Vines are trained to spurred cordon and Guyot at roughly 5,900 per hectare, facing south, southeast and southwest. Owned by ISA S.p.A. of Trento since 2016.