"Caparsa remains one of Chianti Classico's under-the- radar gems, a small estate known only to relatively small subset of wine lovers. These new releases are nothing short of captivating." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
We still can't believe our good fortune to have the singularly talented Paolo Cianferoni's Caparsa estate in our direct-import stable. Even more so, we still can't believe these wines are not on everyone's radar, so utterly refined, precise, and authentic are their character and substance. After a recent tasting of the full range of 2021 Classicos, we fell head over heels with no hesitation, and we went all in on this spectacular trio.
The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino kicks everything off with its pair of 95-point reviews from Decanter and Antonio Galloni, who praises it as "plush and wonderfully deep right out of the gate" making for "a Riserva of uncommon character and distinction." The Caparsino is brought up entirely in concrete tank to give it the purest Sangiovese character possible, something to be desired when the vineyards and fruit are as impeccable as Caparsa's. In contrast to the Caparsino's bright, elegant personality, the 96-point, single-vineyard 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Doccio a Matteo is "a brooding virile wine," Aged in Stockinger and Mittelberger oak, it boasts an "explosive" profile with "tremendous substance." It's a stunning representation of collectible Chianti Classico that can stand with many wines twice its price. Finally, the DC95 2021 Chianti Classico is "pure drinking pleasure" for a mere song. Few, if any, of the Chiantis we've found in the sub-$30 price range deliver quite the impact and head-turning presence that the 2021 Caparsa does. As Galloni writes, "This is a very serious, hugely overachieving Chianti Classico."
After all, Paolo does everything the hard way, which almost always makes the best wines, and we're quite confident in saying that Caparsa is firmly among the elite producers in the region, even if their production and recognition are dwarfed by many of their larger peers. That also means that these are some of the sharpest, cellar-worthy Tuscan wines in our inventory, so you should have no doubts about going big, as they will remain absolutely thrilling expressions for years and years to come.
A wine with precise violet and iris scents with hints of blackberry at the back, and a long, juicy palate with a minerally finish. Paolo Cianferoni is the model of the grower-producer, with the intimate knowledge of and attachment to the terroir that comes with living the vineyard. He is no slouch in the cellar either, and is not afraid of challenging oenological conventions. His Chianti Classico ‘annata’ ferments with its own yeasts and ages not in oak but in cement vats. Pure drinking pleasure.
95 points, Richard Baudains, Decanter (Feb 2025)
The 2021 Chianti Classico is a powerful wine. Dark, layered and beguiling, the 2021 has so much to offer. Macerated black cherry, licorice, new leather, cloves, incense and blood orange build as the 2021 opens in the glass. This is a very serious, hugely overachieving Chianti Classico from proprietor Paolo Cianferoni.
93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jul 2025)
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