Smoky and peppery, this Chianti Classico Riserva offers flavours of juicy black cherries and Tuscan herbs

Packed with aromas of black forest fruits, cherry preserve, espresso and pepper, this Chianti Classico Riserva wine is made from 100% Sangiovese. It offers such concentrated flavours thanks to extra-long maceration on the skins. The grapes are grown in a historic vineyard planted on the mountains in Panzano in Chianti.

Winemaking

After hand-harvesting in the second week of October, the Sangiovese grapes are crushed and fermented at a controlled temperature. Giulio Carmassi, the winemaker at Gagliole, macerates this wine on the skins for a very long period of 30 days – which explains its deep colour and rich flavour. The wine ages for 10 months in small used French oak barrels, and after that for five more months in large concrete vats. Finally, this Gagliole Riserva is bottled and cellared for at least three months at a controlled temperature.

Tasting Notes

Thanks to its long, 30-day maceration, this Chianti Classico Riserva is both dark in colour and very concentrated on the palate. It almost feels like it’s influenced by Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine starts off with aromas of over-ripe black forest fruits, complemented by sweet cherry jam. It has a soft, silky richness with a touch of white pepper and espresso. On the palate, the wine is juicy and rich, with a dry smoky finish.

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 – Bronze Medal (2018 vintage) | James Suckling – 93 points (2018 vintage) | Antonio Galloni, Vinous – 91 points (2018 vintage)