In the glass
Aroma: sour cherry, rose, violet, wild fennel
Palate: red plum, iron, graphite, dried herbs
Single-vineyard Gran Selezione from the 600-metre Coltassala parcel at Radda, with a touch of Mammolo for aromatic perfume.
What it pairs with
-
Aged Pecorino Senese
Mountain pecorino sharpens Coltassala's red-fruit acid. -
Pici al ragu
Find pici al ragu on TableJourney →
Hand-rolled pici match the wine's mid-weight tannin. -
Pheasant in red wine
Game bird and wild-fennel notes complement.
How to serve Castello di Volpaia Coltassala
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Aged Pecorino Senese, Pici al ragu, Pheasant in red wine. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Coltassala was bottled separately as a Vigna designation since 1980 from a single parcel at 600 metres. Promoted to Gran Selezione in 2014.
- 1980 — First vintage of Coltassala Vigna
- 2014 — Reclassified Gran Selezione
Facts
- Producer
- Castello di Volpaia
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (95%), Mammolo (5%)
- Classification
- Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 55 to 80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1980
Scores
- Wine Advocate 96 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Vinous 94 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Castello di Volpaia Coltassala
What does Castello di Volpaia Coltassala taste like?
On the nose, sour cherry, rose, violet, wild fennel. On the palate, red plum, iron, graphite, dried herbs. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Single-vineyard Gran Selezione from the 600-metre Coltassala parcel at Radda, with a touch of Mammolo for aromatic perfume.
When should I drink Castello di Volpaia Coltassala?
Drink 5 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Castello di Volpaia Coltassala?
Aged Pecorino Senese is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pici al ragu and Pheasant in red wine. Mountain pecorino sharpens Coltassala's red-fruit acid.
What grapes are in Castello di Volpaia Coltassala?
The blend is Sangiovese (95%), Mammolo (5%). The wine is classified as Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione.