The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia has all of the ingredients to be a modern-day legend. Aromatic complexity vibrant fruit and firm yet well-integrated tannins are all present. This is a vintage that stands out for its exceptional overall balance. Everything that makes Rancia a great wine is found in the 2001. The 2001 remains incredibly young and the tannins need time to soften. Readers who bought the 2001 are going to be thrilled. This is a great showing. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031. I will never forget this once in a lifetime tasting of Felsina's flagship Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia. What started out as a casual survey of a few older vintages turned into a complete vertical as proprietor Giuseppe Mazzocolin and long-time oenologist Franco Bernabei surprised me with bottle after bottle of fabulous Rancias going back to the inaugural 1983...The single biggest takeaway from this tasting is the amazing consistency of the wines across all vintages. Considering its modest price Rancia remains one the most fairly priced cellar worthy wines in the world. -Antonio Galloni