Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva strikes a harmonious balance between aging and vibrancy, revealing a rich fruit and herbal profile with added depth from oak aging, ideal for those appreciating a more mature yet lively expression of the region.
Chianti Classico Riserva Tasting Notes
This aged style of Chianti Classico, made with at least 80% Sangiovese, matures gracefully in oak to bring forth flavors of cherry, fig, baking spices, leather, and vanilla. With the high Sangiovese content, expect pronounced acidity and tannins, leading to a complex and lingering finish.
Chianti Classico Riserva Food Pairing
The structured and deeper profile of Riserva pairs excellently with robust dishes, such as grilled beef steak, game meats, or rich pasta sauces. Its complexity also complements aged cheeses.
Wines aging is a key element of the winemaking process. Photo by: Rocca di Montegrossi in Gaiole
How to Find Chianti Classico Riserva
Look for “Riserva” on the label which indicates a longer aging process (minimum of 24 months), often with significant time in oak barrels, distinguishing it from Annata.
Why is Chianti Classico Riserva richer and more complex? Its extended aging period allows for a more intricate development of flavors and a smoother integration of tannins and acidity.
Should you age Chianti Classico Riserva wines? While enjoyable upon release, these wines have great aging potential, often maturing beautifully over several years, enhancing their complexity and depth while developing dried fruit and leather aromas.
Winemaking Information:
- Minimum Aging: 24 months, with at least 3 months in bottle
- Minimum Alcohol: 12.5%
- Minimum Extract*: 25 g/L
*Extract is all the stuff in the wine that isn’t water or alcohol, like tannins and flavor compounds. For reference, a light bodied red wine would have about 18g/L of extract.
