Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus Il Caggio 2018 (750ML)

99 Points, James Button, Decanter: "2018 saw the introduction of ceramic vessels in the winery, along with the addition of another large cask. The 16 micro-vinifications this year took place completely in stainless steel using wild yeasts, then matured for 22 months in tonneaux (80% new) and 15hl barrels. It then spent eight months in ceramic (rather than the cement used in previous vintages) before bottling. This 2018 brilliantly combines the darker fruit of 2016 with the mega-freshness of 2015, finishing it off with super-fine tannins. Creamy, earthy and chocolatey notes are lifted by a balsamic waft, overlaid with ripe, sapid red and black cherries, a touch of black tea and a long, sweet, pure cherry and wild strawberry finish. Superb." 03/23

97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Very perfumed with roses and other flowers. Spanish cedar, too. Medium-bodied with creamy and fine yet round tannins that go on for minutes. Super-fine texture. Juicy fruit. Succulent and so beautiful. Hard not to drink now. In fact, do. But it will age beautifully, too. Vineyards of 30 years or more. Drink or hold." 06/22

96+ Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Hitting the market now, the Caggio 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus unfolds slowly in the glass to reveal dark fruit, cassis, spice, cured leather and pressed blue flowers. There is a touch of something exotic like a bay leaf or a hint of toasted cumin. The finish is silky and very smooth, and this wine is longer in terms of mouthfeel and more finely polished compared to the 2016 vintage that I tasted at the same time. Compared to 2016, this 2018 edition is aged for a slightly shorter time in tonneaux. It sees two months less of oak and a bit more time in cement vat. Also, the percentage of new wood was reduced from 100% to 80%. Fermentation is spontaneous with no added yeasts and submerged cap." 04/22

96 Points, Susan Hulme, The Wine Independent: "The 2018 Ipsus Chianti Classico Caggio Gran Selezione has more delicate, beauitfully floral aromas such as rose petal, sweet herb and bright red cherry with an almost Pinot Noir-like expessive red fruit on the nose but also distinctive Sangiovese chalkiness. This wine expresses the finer side of Sangiovese in a fresher vintage like 2018. For me there is much greater harmony and balance on this 2018 than in the two previous vintageswith more range and subtle nuance of flavors, while it manages to be unforced and elegant. The weight and texture is great, not huge, but it dances brightly across the palate with some macchia mediterranea wild herb notes. It is easily the best Ipsus so far, and drinking beautifully now even though it is still young." 01/23