2018 Mazzei Il Caggio Ipsus Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

98 POINTS

Falstaff

Bright, rich ruby colour. Opens on the nose with notes of cranberry and plum, followed by fine salty notes, some dried tomato. Enormously energetic on the palate, lots of finely woven tannin, compact fruit, great tension, very long finish, powerful, but also with great drinking flow.

97 POINTS

Monica Larner - 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.

97 POINTS

Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW - Decanter

Similar to when I last tasted this in 2022, Ipsus 2018 is a combination of the ripe fruit of 2015 and the freshness of 2016. Oak spice is now integrated, and the red berry fruit is nicely highlighted on both the nose and palate, adding additional layers of complexity. The tannins are still a touch tight, and chalky in texture – this wine is evolving slowly. Drinking now, but it will be better in a couple of years.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

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.

96 POINTS

Falstaff

Bright ruby red with delicately brightening rim. Fragrant nose of cedar, cherry, plus fine marzipan, a hint of dried rose petal. Opens polished and clear on the palate, along with exciting, salty tones, compact acidity and delicate perceptible use of wood decorate the bouquet, seems very energetic and bright, will age well.

91 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus remains light and also a bit austere, although I note it is gradually emerging from its shell. There's quite a bit of nervous tension that remains, and that I think it will always be part of the wine's personality. I have tasted the 2018 numerous times and it has always been rather severe in its contours.