About this wine
First released in 1985, Balifico is Castello di Volpaia's Super Tuscan, a Toscana IGT blend of 65% Sangiovese and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate's Balifico vineyard. Aged 18 months in new French oak, it pairs the structure and dark-fruit intensity of Cabernet with the freshness and elegance of high-altitude Sangiovese, resulting in a wine with pronounced blackberry, blueberry, spice, and cedar notes, refined tannins, and strong aging potential.
A smooth, powerful, and approachable introduction to the Super Tuscan style.
Sommelier's Note
"Balifico is a masterclass in balance — its evolution in the glass reveals the true potential of the Volpaia estate."
Food Pairings
Pairs excellently with grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb, game dishes, and aged cheeses like Pecorino Toscano.
When to drink it
Ideal for formal dinners, celebratory milestones, or an evening with wine connoisseurs.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥8,000-12,000 (retail import estimate)
Terroir & Winemaking
65% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate's Balifico vineyard. Aged 18 months in new French oak barriques, followed by at least 12 months of bottle aging before release.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Balifico taste like?
- It features intense black cherry, cassis, and tobacco notes, supported by silky tannins and a long, spicy finish.
- What should I pair it with?
- It pairs well with rich, savory dishes like grilled red meats, game, or umami-rich Wagyu.
- How long can it age?
- It is best enjoyed between 5 and 15 years after the vintage date as its complexity fully emerges.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
キャンティ・クラッシコ
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Castello di Volpaia's entry-level Chianti Classico is a quintessential expression of the high-altitude Radda in Chianti terroir, blending 90% Sangiovese with 10% Merlot. Grapes are hand-harvested from certified organic vineyards at 450-600 meters and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before roughly 10 months of aging in Slavonian oak casks. The result is a balanced, vibrant red with notes of red cherry, wild berry, and subtle floral lift, and silky tannins that give it a clean, persistent finish — a benchmark, everyday expression of classic Chianti Classico.
キャンティ・クラッシコ・リゼルヴァ
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RedSangiovese
Produced since 1967, Castello di Volpaia's Chianti Classico Riserva is a benchmark expression of the Radda in Chianti terroir, crafted from 100% Sangiovese grown in the estate's high-altitude vineyards. It ages for 24 months in a blend of 80% Slavonian oak casks and 20% French barriques, yielding a sophisticated, elegant wine with vibrant red fruit aromas, subtle spice, and a structured, velvety tannin profile. The 2015 vintage became one of the first Chianti wines to reach the Wine Spectator Top 100.
コルタッサーラ キャンティ・クラッシコ・グラン・セレツィオーネ
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RedSangiovese · Mammolo
First produced in 1980, Coltassala is one of Castello di Volpaia's flagship single-vineyard wines and today carries the Gran Selezione designation, the highest tier of Chianti Classico DOCG. The blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Mammolo — a rare local variety that lends floral lift and complexity — is sourced from the Coltassala vineyard at high altitude and aged 24 months in French oak. The result is a powerful yet elegant wine with deep dark fruit, violet, and spice notes, and refined, structured tannins.
イル・プーロ・カサノーヴァ キャンティ・クラッシコ・グラン・セレツィオーネ
Il Puro Casanova Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
RedSangiovese
Il Puro Casanova is a single-vineyard Chianti Classico Gran Selezione crafted entirely from Sangiovese grown with indigenous clones in the estate's historic Casanova vineyard. Made from certified organic, minimally-intervened fruit and aged 24 months in French oak, it is one of Castello di Volpaia's three flagship crus alongside Coltassala and Balifico. Expect an elegant, structured wine with dark cherry, violet, and earthy undertones, refined tannins, and a long, persistent finish.
ヴィン・サント・デル・キャンティ・クラッシコ
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
dessertWhiteTrebbiano · Malvasia
Castello di Volpaia's Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a traditional Tuscan dessert wine crafted from hand-selected Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. The fruit is dried (appassimento) in the estate's vinsantaia attic before fermentation and extended aging in small oak barrels called caratelli. The result is a complex, amber-hued sweet wine with intense aromas of dried apricot, honey, toasted almond, and candied citrus peel, balanced by vibrant acidity and a remarkably long, velvety finish.
チット
Citto
RedSangiovese · Cabernet Sauvignon
Citto — meaning "good boy" in the Tuscan dialect — is the approachable, everyday red of Castello di Volpaia, made from a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from organic vineyards in Chianti Classico and coastal Maremma. Fermented in stainless steel with no oak aging, it is a generous, silky wine with vivid ruby color and expressive black currant, blackberry, and cherry aromas, designed for immediate, easy enjoyment.