San Giusto, Chianti Classico Riserva Baroncole

San Giusto, Chianti Classico Riserva BaroncoleThis stunning wine hit me out of left field. The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva le Barncole (97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo) is extraordinary and is among the finest editions ever produced. I loved the crisp and pristine nature of the bouquet that gives ample and equal billing to wild berry, toasted almond and blue flower aromas. That Sangiovese typicity is expressing itself at full volume. Because 2013 is a slightly cooler vintage, you get the

concentrated and gently sweet

with super ripe blackberry flavors and a bit of jamminess

55% new oak

rather jewelly nose – the Pinot most like a typical Central Otago Pinot so far to me (though this is probably not the intention at Felton Road)

One of the top eight or so Brunellos of the 2013 vintage

with creamy layers of fig

relatively recently disgorged and dosed at 9 g/l

with sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit

mineral and spice

mineral and Asian spice flavors highlight this firmly structured red

but perhaps this is the ‘minerality’ aimed for

This may ultimately be a better wine than the old vines cuvée but you can’t go wrong with either