There’s lots of clove character here, but the fruit really shines through, offering up intense hibiscus, orange rind, cranberries, Thai basil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and really structured and refined with an agile core of red berries and savory undertones. Long but minerally on the finish. Drink in 2024

Ricasoli is the most representative winery of the Chianti region and one of the 10 oldest family-owned estates in the world. The undercurrent depth of its history is found beyond the grapes of Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione. Mostly based on Sangiovese, the wine is however blended with 3% of Abrusco, an ancient grape variety often not properly considered a clone of Colorino and instead closely related to the Abrostine 'teinturier' grape, as well as related to the Lambrusco family. The 2016 was one of the best past vintages in Tuscany. In Brolio in the spring, temperatures were average, with the end of May and early June hot but humid. This diminished the fruit set causing a thinning effect in the clusters that was good for the Sangiovese. Two hailstorms at the end of May also led to loss of flowers, thus reducing per-plant growth. The wine is bright ruby in the glass, full of flowery notes, with rich raspberry solarity of fruit from Gaiole, velvety chalky tannins and crisp acidity which give it both drinkability with food and potential to age. (Drink between 2020-2030)

The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio is a beautiful wine, dense, rich and lasting. The bouquet is intense and profound with layers of red and purple fruit that cede softly to spice, leather and sweet tobacco. The classic 2016 vintage is characterized by its freshness, precision and cellar-worthiness. You get all those qualities here in one very elegant but also food-friendly package. The wine is made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and grapes come from a south-facing parcel at an ideal 250 to 450 meters above sea level. - Monica Larner