2010 Chianti Classico le Baroncole
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Tasting notes
A much firmer, darker wine, the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baroncole is strikingly beautiful. In this vintage, the oak - sometimes an issue here - is beautifully integrated and nearly impossible to detect. Plums, smoke, cherry and tar notes add complexity to the firm, structured finish in a dark, mysterious Chianti Classico loaded with personality. This is a dazzling effort. Proprietor Luca Martini di Cigala has made huge strides in refining cooperage for the Baroncole, and for that he has been rewarded with a stunning wine. Over the last few years the trend has been towards longer elevage in oak, but with much lower toast levels and smaller amounts of new oak, just around 20%. The 2010 is the best Baroncole in recent memory.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva le Baroncole opens with oak-driven tones of spice and toasted almond that need more years of bottle aging before they fully integrate. The wine is based on Sangiovese with just 3% Canaiolo for extra intensity and is aged in oak for 18 months between barrique and botte. The quality of the 2010 vintage shines through unobstructed. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Run by the Martini di Cigala siblings (Elisabetta, Luca and Francesco), Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano is a flagship winery in the Gaiole in Chianti subzone of the denomination. The wines presented are truly spectacular: They are among the best I have tasted this year. Importer: Marc de Grazia Selections; www.marcdegrazia.com
About the producer
San Giusto a Rentennano is one of the leading producers in the Chianti Classico region. Its 100% Merlot Super Tuscan La Ricolma and 100% Sangiovese cuvée, Percarlo, are two of the most consistent and collected fine wines in Tuscany.