Only in its fifth vintage, this single vineyard has received fantastic accolades. It is a pioneer of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, a game changer aiming to be the purest expression of Sangiovese ever made. Only 4,500 bottles are produced on average each year (Sassicaia makes 180,000 bottles), making it a collector dream. It is in-deed a Tuscan Wine Legend in the Making, as stated in Decanter magazine.
IPSUS's Story
Ipsus’ project started in 2006 when the Mazzei family bought a plot of land ‘Il Caggio’ from a neighbour. The wines produced here quickly surpassed their expectation, especially when sourced from a vineyard named ‘The Clos’. As a result, 25th generation Giovanni Mazzei decided to create a vibrant Sangiovese with great purity and a sense of place, hence the name Ipsus meaning itself.
'My family's passion has always been about making emotive, complex fine wines. With IPSUS, I wanted to go beyond, and take the bounty of nature and our ancient expertise to create a pure and exquisite expression of Sangiovese that showcases the wondrous terroir of the region that I'm so proud to be a part of. I want Ipsus to be electric, vibrant, and the tannins to be silky and elegant’ - Giovanni Mazzei
The first task was to precisely identify the cooler plots of the land. Then, select the most suitable Sangiovese clones which derive from half a century of research. As a result, six plots have been chosen to make Ipsus. Once harvested, grapes are split into 16-18 micro-vinifications, fermented in a combination of stainless steel and large oak casks with careful maceration.
In 2020, after years of hard work, Giovanni decided to release the first vintage, 2015, as a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Ipsus made its debut swooping great scores from international wine critics and was referred to as a modern Italian Cru. Vinate after vintage, the Ipsus keeps surpassing itself with the latest vintage receiving the coveted 100 points from Jane Anson.
IPSUS's experience
Visiting Il Caggio is an extraordinary experience. When Giovanni Mazzei invited us to his unusual and fascinating cellar, I felt like I was entering his inner sanctum, where his dreams are made. The vaulted chamber only had a couple of handfuls of barrels, showing just how small production of this wine is. Even his tasting room is entirely dark except for a spotlight to allow complete focus. We tasted the the 2016, 2018 and 2019 and learnt how the winemaking was tailored to each vintage.
2016 is the second vintage of IPSUS and when it began to find its true voice. The year was marked by nature's generosity. and gave the wine extraordinary depth with a core of dark berries, hints of Mediterranean herbs and a structure that will stand the test of time. It was aged for 32 months, 24 in tonneaux and 8 in cement.
2018 saw the introduction of ceramic vessels in the winery, along with the addition of another large cask. The 16 micro-vinifications this year took place completely in stainless steel using wild yeasts, then matured for 22 months in tonneaux (80% new) and 15hl barrels. This vintage has balance and grace. It boasts unmatched elegance, with layers of red fruit, subtle floral notes and exceptional drinkability.
2019 was born from an outstanding and rewarding season. It is notably different from the 2018. Giovanni explained that the difference was made in September, when the day-night temperatures fluctuated by almost 30°C, giving the fruit 'incredible depth' of flavour. Its complexity and deep expression are extremely entertaining.