On the Road with the Grape Guy
Chianti Classico - Step 2 : Chianti Classico Riserva
24 Jul 2023- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(February 2023) ... This is a tier that occasionally I wonder why they continue to make it, besides tradition. Some vintages can take the extra time in oak, or aging; while the annata (Classico) spend 12 months, Riserva needs another year, and then 3 months in bottle. Light vintages can be tough, but a good vintage can really produce a wine of fine quality and age-ability. In total, I tasted 72 Riservas, 44 of those make this list; the majority of which are 2019 and 2020.
As usual, barrel samples are treated as unfinished and given no final score - but they are rated for their potential: Good / Better / Best ... not all wines have a note.
TOP TIER Wines
Podere Terreno alla Via della Volpaia 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Nice concentration and balance: spice and wood plays well with the fruit - this is a good one ... (****+)
Antinori 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Villa Antinori
There's a freshness and liveliness that shows off the acidity and bright red fruits ... (****)
Luiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Nicely spiced, plus red currants and spiced-cranberry - all backed by a cherry finish ... (****)
Maurizio Alongi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Vigna Barbischio
Mocha, blackberry kicks things off, when the acidity finally kicks in this wine is very tasty ... (****)
Nittardi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Complex wine with notes of cigar box, wood spice, blackberry, and mocha - finish is long and delightful ... (****)
Querciabella 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Uplifting on the palate with its red currants and red cherry ... (****)
THREE-and-a-HALF PLUS Star Wines
Badia a Coltibuono 2018 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - La Forra
Ca' di Pesa 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Burrone
--- Juicy cherry mixed with red plum cran-currant, that acidity is on point
Castagnoli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Terrazze
--- Good fruit and structure; there's a real spicy component here and it finishes with coffee
Castellare di Castellina 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Castello di Ama 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Montebuoni
Castello di Cacchiano 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Castello Vicchiomaggio 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Agostini Petri
La Montanina 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
--- Spicy with balsamic-strawberries, some cedar, and some black cherry
La Vigna di San Martino ad Argiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Lamole di Lamole 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Lareale
Oliviera 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Il Settimo Giorno
Ricasoli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Brolio
--- Black cherry, boysenberry and spiced plum rule the roost here
San Felice 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Il Grigio
Red cherries galore; the wine is nicely spiced and has cleansing acidity for balance
THREE-and-a-HALF Star Wines
Borgo Salcetino 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Lucarello
Buondonno 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Castello di Bossi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Berardo
Castello di Querceto 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Castello di Volpaia 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Gagiole 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Guidi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
--- A nice red fruit core leading to good acidity on the finish; the best part is the sweet cherry mid-palate
Losi Querciavalle 2016 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Querciavalle
Monte Bernardi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Podere Castellinuzza / Paolo Coccia 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
THREE Star Wines
Belvedere Campoli / Guicciardini 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Borgo Scopeto 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Vigna Misciano
Casa Emma 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Vignalparco
Villa S. Andrea 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
UNFINISHED WINES
Cantina Castelvecchi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Lodolaio ... (Better)
Dievole 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Novecento ... (Better)
Famiglia Zingarelli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Sergioveto ... (Better)
Le Filigare - Maria Vittoria 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... (Better)
Ottomani 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... (Better)
Casa al Vento 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Foho ... (Good)
Castello di Meleto 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... (Good)
L'Erta di Radda 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... (Good)
Le Miccine 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... (Good)
Monteraponi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Il Campitello ... (Good)
Ruffino 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva - Riserva Ducale ... (Good)
