Tenuta Casenuove Chianti Classico Riserva 2019

Tenuta Casenuove sits in Panzano, in the Conca d'Oro amphitheatre at the heart of Chianti Classico DOCG. This Riserva is built on organically farmed Sangiovese, the grape that defines the appellation. The galestro and alberese soils of the zone, a mix of friable marl and compact limestone, are poor and free draining, which limits vigour and concentrates the fruit while preserving Sangiovese's natural acidity. Warm days and cool nights at altitude extend ripening and fix aromatic detail in the skins. Ageing runs through concrete tanks and barrels, a combination that keeps the fruit fresh while softening the firm tannins through slow oxygen exchange across the staves, and malolactic fermentation rounds the sharper edges of the acidity. The wine is medium garnet, with a nose of sour cherry, plum, dried thyme and tobacco over a base of leather and turned earth. The palate is structured and savoury, the tannins fine grained and the acidity bright through a long, mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, and decant an hour ahead for a young Riserva. It suits the classic Tuscan table of grilled red meat and bean stews.