Synopsis, Our Opinion: It’s still our favorite.
Producer/Winery: Paolo Cianferoni; Azienda Agricola Caparsa; Radda, Italy.
Grape Variety: Sangiovese.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Chianti Classico; Tuscany, Italy.
Vintage: 2014
Price: $27.00 (with a 10% mixed case discount)
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Paired With: Tomato soup with sour dough croutons and a dab of pesto sauce (everything was homemade) and “tuna dreams”.
Tasting:
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When we first had the 2008 vintage of the Caparsino Chianti Classico six years ago we immediately recognized it was memorable and it became our favorite Chianti. Later we reviewed it with different pairings and in blind tastings with other Chiantis, but it continued to be an all time treasure. Recently we had the opportunity to purchase a number of bottles of the 2014 vintage and the following is our review of this vintage.
Opened one hour before drinking. Clear, ruby color with a lighter red rim. Strong cherry and raspberry aromas with noticeable whiffs of marjoram, nondescript floral and new clay flower pots the first time they are wet. SMOOTH, bone dry spicy mouthfeel, light to medium body and a 150-grit texture. Rich current, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Luscious bright acidity, dynamic, but well integrated firm tannins, and a long dry mouth puckering finish that’s filled with fruit and spicy flavors. The real punch line here is: did the newer vintage change? No, it’s still orthodox Chianti classico. We have found recent vintages of other Chianti’s had changed to meet new wine drinkers tastes…the flavors had become new oak sweet, the acidity was tamed and the tannins made more docile. However, we can say the Caparsino is still outstanding traditional Chianti and it’s still our favorite.
Photo from Caparsa.
See also: our reviews of other Caparsino wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: 45mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 0 24606 36348 2
Imported by: Piedmont wine Imports; Durham, North Carolina.