2020 Chianti Classico Cru Giorgio Primo

Satiny texture here, with soft brambled fruits on the nose, definitely an Italian take on the Bordeaux varieties, you feel far more spice and crunch than in Bordeaux, and it's an appealing wine, balanced and savoury, silky cocoa bean, cappuccino, sour cherry. A growing season with a gentle winter, early bud break then cool and rainy spring, some storms over the summer meant a slower harvest than usual, 50% new oak for ageing, bottling in March 2023 before release a year later, 3.75ph.

The 2020 Giorgio Primo is fabulous. This is a rare vintage in which Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, and it does so in grand style. Frost took out 70% of the Merlot and most of the Sangiovese. In response to those dramatic events, Giampaolo Motta and his team turned out an absolutely brilliant wine. Blackberry, lavender, mint, dried herbs, mocha and a kiss of French oak all build in the glass. This exotic, full-throttle Panzano red is positively stunning. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.

This is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot that ages partially in new oak (50% of the wine does) for 16 months. The Tenuta La Massa 2020 Giorgio Primo is darkly saturated in appearance with rich aromas of black fruit, spice and smoked tobacco. The wine is textured and quite opulent, especially in this warm vintage. It's also more accessible, even at this young age. Production is 11,500 bottles.