2016 Nittardi Chianti Classico Riserva

Nittardi Riserva Selezionata grows in their best vineyard, the Vigna Alta. The vineyard lies on a south-facing hill at 500 metres above sea level and has a soil full of schist stones. 24 months in 500-litre French oak barrels (20% new), 6 months in a single concrete vat, 9 months in bottle. TA 5.8 g/l, pH 3.4. Mid to deep crimson. Savoury, spicy and tangy with dark-red fruit and the aroma of warm earth, perhaps warm bricks as well as an attractive stony quality. Seductive and pure Chianti Classico in its complementary elements of fruit and savour, the harmonious structure of tannins and acidity. Supple, fine-boned if definite tannins. Lovely freshness and elegant shape, all in balance. Really elegant, with underlying power. Needs time but moreish even now. A food wine par excellence and a demonstration of how good some 2016s were in the region (as Walter describes in this article ). Long and intense right to the end. (JH)

Castellina in Chianti. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. Lustrous ruby. Quite closed and with only hints of oak and stones. Supple, fluid palate followed by gripping but fine tannins becoming more powerful on the finish. (WS)

The Nittardi 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is a handsome and balanced wine that delivers lots of intensity, partly due to the quality of the primary fruit and partly due to the spicy oak. The wine opens to a dark, inky appearance with more plum and blackberry than you get in your standard Chianti Classico (those wines tend to veer toward red and purple fruits instead). The wine, representing a blend of 97% Sangiovese and 3% Merlot, offers lots of power and momentum with soft tannins and a nice touch of crisp acidity on the close. Serve it with an ossobuco and a side of extra cheesy risotto. A mere 8,000 bottles were made.