Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2023

Riecine | Tuscany
Soc. Agr. Riecine s.s. | Località Riecine | IT 53013 Gaiole in Chianti

09092323 · 0,75 l · 52,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

In 1975 – two years after Riecine's first Chianti Classico – John Dunkley decided that some vintages and some grapes deserved more than the usual treatment. The Riserva was born. Since then, it has only been produced when the selection allows: the finest vineyards, the oldest vines, and two stages of selection – in the vineyard and on the sorting table – before the grapes enter the cellar. The vines used for the Riserva are between 25 and 45 years old. After selection, the must is transferred to unglazed Nomblot concrete vats. There, the must is initially kept cool with dry ice for four to five days before spontaneous fermentation begins – slowly, in a natural way. After fermentation, the wine spends a further ten days on the skins, with the cap submerged. Then comes the centrepiece: the entire Riserva production is decanted into a single large oak cask from Grenier. Untoasted – no toasty aromas, no vanilla, no foreign character. Just the neutral, 'breathing' structure of the wood. 22 months. Then back into concrete tanks for natural stabilisation and clarification. Finally, three months in bottle.

2023 was a complex, challenging vintage in Gaiole, one that demanded rigorous selection – and which gave the Sangiovese, grown at altitudes of 450 to 500 metres, precisely the freshness and precision that Riecine seeks and achieves every year. A deep ruby red with garnet hues. The bouquet offers ripe cherry, wild berries, earth, spices, a hint of tobacco and conifers – embodying that characteristic Riecine freshness imbued by the mountain climate. On the palate, it is both concentrated and elegant, with firm yet refined tannins and a supportive, long-lasting acidity. A Riserva that does full justice to its origins. SUPERIORE.DE

"A highlight from the 2023 vintage. Dark cherry fruit, dried plums and subtle woody notes on the nose; an elegant character. On the palate, silky-smooth tannins enveloped in a sweet, melt-in-the-mouth fruitiness; cherry-like and subtly spicy, it has plenty of charm and a pleasantly fruity, sweet finish." Weinwisser

"An intense and complex wine with aromas of vibrant roses, violets, fresh black cherries, spices, liquorice and earth. Full-bodied with a hint of graphite, velvety tannins, supple fruit and a refreshing finish." James Suckling

"The Chianti Classico Riserva 2023 is truly magnificent. Dark and full-bodied on the palate, with remarkable substance, the 2023 vintage possesses a remarkable richness and intensity that continue to develop as it sits in the glass. Macerated cherry, blood orange, mint and cinnamon lend it a remarkable texture. The long, lingering finish is a real treat. The 2023 vintage was aged for 24 months in a 30-HL cask." Vinous

"The Riecine 2023 Chianti Classico Riserva shows dark fruit and ripe cherry, with greater depth and concentration, but that punchy character still breaks through to give the wine light and energy. There is a nice juxtaposition between the darker, richer fruit and the lifted personality that remains a signature of the house style. The 100% Sangiovese is fermented in unlined cement and aged for 24 months in 30-hectoliter French oak casks." Wine Advocate