Basilica Cafaggio

Chianti Classico

Dating back to the 15th century, this progressively-minded producer has vineyards in some enviable locations, all of which are farmed organically

Imported by Vinicon Ltd

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Basilica Cafaggio is blessed. To be a Chianti producer, located in Panzano, with 30 hectares of vineyards in the Conca d’Oro (golden basin), is the wine equivalent of winning the lottery.

The vineyards are among the highest in Greve in Chianti, and are planted in glorious natural amphitheatres, where the grapes can ripen in the generous summer sun. The stunning topography is matched by galestro soils that are ideally suited to Sangiovese.

The friable marl and clay soils have excellent water retention capacity – vital in the long, hot summers – and a high mineral content. Cafaggio is fortunate too to have the white calcareous albarese soils in its vineyards.

All Cafaggio’s vineyards have been certified organic since 2017, a year after the property was bought by Trento-based financial services company Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo.

Organic viticulture is an important part of Cafaggio’s goal to make terroirdriven, elegant wines. Some vineyards are being replanted, to increase the quality of the grapes. Investment from ISA has allowed for upgraded kit in the cellar too.

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Winemakers Laura Zeddas and Attilio Pagli have new stainless steel tanks, a smart tangential wine filter and an up-to-date bottling machine at their disposal.

Cafaggio’s Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva wines are joined by three Crus: Solatìo San Martino and Cortaccio.

The Chianti Classico wine sets the tone. Grapes are picked from vineyards across the Conca d’Oro. The wine is aged for 12 months in 65-hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels, and then a further year in cement tanks. The final wine is given three months in bottle before being released to market.

Cafaggio Chianti Classico is a delicious expression of the style, brimming with ripe, red berry fruits, accompanied by light touches of spice. It’s a versatile red with juicy, easy-drinking appeal and a structure that will appeal to foodies.

The Riserva enjoys 18 months of ageing in smaller Slavonian oak barrels and subsequently spends another 12 in cement. As you would expect, this is a fuller-bodied Sangiovese which crucially retains the grape’s natural freshness and acidity.

Solatìo is the first of the Cru wines. The vineyard was planted in the early 1990s and covers a mere 2.2 hectares at an altitude of 345m. It is one of the sunniest sites in the Conca d’Oro, being entirely south facing. Only the finest Sangiovese grapes are selected, and the wine is aged for 30 months in Slavonian oak. A year in cement follows and then six months of bottle ageing. The final wine is serious and structured, with distinctive minerality, spice and elegant tannins.

San Martino is another bold, fullbodied wine with a 15% presence of Cabernet Sauvignon that adds breadth and complexity to the wine. The south and south east-facing vineyard is just under four hectares and about 20m higher than Solatìo. The international feel of this wine is enhanced by 18 months of ageing in 225-litre French oak barrels (notably second and third fill).

Facing south west, and at 355m above sea level, Basilica del Cortaccio is planted just with Cabernet Sauvignon, for the Cortaccio wine. The soils here are siltyclay loam with pebbles, originating from calcareous marl. The ageing mirrors that of San Martino, both wines spending 12 months in cement after their time in barriques. Cortaccio is a lovely expression of an exceptional vineyard: a wine with great complexity and ageing potential.

Recent vintages have been a gift to Cafaggio. 2020 was a wonderful year, yielding balanced wines that had both terrific freshness and structure. 2021 was similarly good and the wines also have impressive structure and ageing potential. 2022 was a small but beautiful vintage and will be delicious to drink in the years to come.