95 Points - THE WINE SPECTATOR
Red - Savory and Classic
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Expert tasting note: (2018 vintage) "Medium intensity of a vibrant, darkly-pigmented, ruby-red color. High-toned sour-cherry aromas overlay volatile truffle, mushroom, pepper & cedar aromas. The palate combines mouth-watering acidity, with fine drying tannins. Juicy fruit on the back-palate has spicy/peppery touches & truffley earthiness. The wine is mid-weight with concentrated fruit. Alcohol is slightly warming & the finish long with spicy redcurrant fruit." - 09/22 DCAMW
*Vintage may vary by location*
Antinori’s Chianti Classico Riserva is consistently outstanding, and classic in 2020. His team blends 90 percent Sangiovese with Merlot and Cabernet Franc after fermenting and malolactic conversion in open-topped, conical stainless steel tanks; aging takes place in 225-liter French oak barriques for 14 months. The wine’s iron, olive and tobacco notes deliver that Tuscan feel, and the riserva designation, for just a few dollars more, ensures greater depth, structure and longevity than the annata.