The 2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Coltassala is a distinguished Sangiovese wine from Italy's Tuscany region, specifically Chianti Classico. This red wine, sealed with a cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14%, has garnered positive reviews from several respected wine critics.
James Suckling awarded the wine an impressive 96 points, praising its "wonderful perfumes and freshness with cut flowers, citrus and dark berries," as well as its "full-bodied and layered" nature. He notes that the wine has "gorgeous fruit and clarity" with hints of bark, stone, and conifer, and is made from organically grown grapes, suggesting it can be enjoyed now or held for future consumption.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave the wine high marks with a score of 94+, highlighting its transition to Gran Selezione status. Reviewer ML describes the wine as having an "elegant and streamlined personality" that quickly gains volume, showcasing dark fruit layering and sweet spice. This vintage is considered to have a "focused or sharp personality" that promises favorable evolution in the bottle.
Wine Spectator rated the wine at 92 points, appreciating its "fresh and focused" delivery of black cherry, blackberry, and stone flavors. The structure is noted to border on racy, with a firming finish that lingers with tinges of iron and sanguine. The wine is recommended for consumption from 2023 through 2035, with only 150 cases imported.
Wine Enthusiast also scored it at 92 points, with Kerin O’Keefe remarking on the aromas of French oak, leather, and espresso mingling with spiced plum. The palate is firm, featuring dried cherry, licorice, and tobacco framed by fine-grained tannins, closing on a coffee bean note. The wine is suggested to be best enjoyed between 2024 and 2028.
Decanter provided a slightly lower score of 91 points but still acknowledged the wine's merits with descriptors like "slightly smoky with pure floral notes, graphite, and blue fruit aromas." The finish is noted for its chewy tannins and violet memories.
Overall, the 2018 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Coltassala is a highly regarded wine characterized by its complex aromas, layered flavors, and potential for aging.