For the latest in our popular series of BYO suppers with prominent winemakers guests, we are thrilled to be joined by Giovanni Mazzei, whose ancestors included Ser Lapo Mazzei who wrote the first recorded mention of Chianti wine in 1398, and Filippo, who was asked personally by President Jefferson to introduce vine growing to Virginia.

Giovanni’s ambition has always been to make a Chianti Classico which rivals the finest wines of Tuscany, pushing the boundaries to heights never seen before. He found the terroir and vines to realise this ambition in the “Clos”, a 6.5ha prized vineyard based on a complex sub-soil mix of clay schist, calcareous marl and alberese rock planted in Il Caggio back in 2008.

The first vintage of IPSUS (2015) was released to critical acclaim with Antonio Gallon saying it “very clearly [has] the potential to become one of Italy’s most important wines”.  The latest release, 2020, is the best yet sporting 100 points and not just from one critic, as both Jane Anson and Colin Hay of The Drinks Business agree that this fifth iteration is pure perfection, the latter calling it “An utterly beautiful wine fully indicative of the potential of this enticing project”. It also receives a best-ever 99 points from James Suckling and a joint best-ever 98 points from Decanter.

We will be fortunate enjoy one of the only 4,500 bottles produced, as well as a library vintage from Giovanni’s own cellar, during a feast of traditional Tuscan dishes at La Goccia, in Covent Garden.

Attendance is strictly limited to 10 guests, who are invited to bring a favourite bottle of Tuscan wine from their cellar to share and discuss.

WHERE: La Goccia, Covent Garden, 1 Floral Court, London WC2E 9FB
WHEN: 10th December 2024
TICKET: £165 inc vat a head + an appropriate bottle from your cellar*
(10 spaces only, priority for current Club Pontet Labrie members)

* Recommended £80+ retail, relevant to Tuscan dinner theme. Please bring something interesting and personal to you, ideally with a bit of age and a good story! We are happy to offer guidance on suitable options and in limited cases can provide a bottle for you.