Like a phoenix, the iconic Ricasoli wine estate not only returned to its former glory when its namesake family reacquired it in 1993, but has since soared to new heights! Now is a perfect opportunity to see how far they've risen with their elegant 2021 Gran Selezione Chianti Classicos, which received glowing reviews from Wine Spectator (95 to 97 points). This is a vintage to go big on according to Italian wine critic Antonio Galloni, who wrote that 2021 is "the single greatest young vintage" he's tasted in his 25+ years of visiting the region!
The Ricasoli name happens to be one of the most important in Italian wine, and especially so in Tuscany! The family tree is rooted in the <>b>historic Chianti region (the stretch of hill country between Florence and Siena) going back to at least to the middle-ages. It was 1800s ancestor, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, who helped shape what the iconic wine from these already-famous hills should be, including promoting the noble Sangiovese grape to its current starring role. Things have changed a bit, but we think the ancestors would be proud - and impressed - with the exciting wines the family is putting out from their ancient fortress, Castello di Brolio!
The Gran Selezione category is meant to be a winery's flagship Chianti Classico, a wine that represents the best from their neck of the woods. Reflecting the Ricasoli's long history in the southern area of Gaiole, they have a fantastic collection of vineyards represented through four Gran Selezione bottlings! The Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione comes from vineyards of different characteristics around the castello itself, which is strategically perched on a high foothill of the Chianti Mountains. Ricasoli's three single-vineyard Gran Selezioni, on the other hand, are focused on pure expressions from renowned sites in the cascade of hills flowing down from the castello; they are extremely elegant, firmly-cored renditions of Chianti Classico, with a sense of lift and aromatic intensity rather than overt power. All of their 2021s are delicious to drink now, given a little time to breathe (even better with an hour in the decanter), but they'll develop true ethereal complexity in the years to come... if you can hold onto them that long!
Further down, the Roncicone vineyard sits on marine sands, and in 2021 ripened a little earlier than the other single vineyards. It's a little fleshier, with riper red-fruited tones relative to the Colledilá bottling, but here the structure, mouthwateringly vibrant and gripping, is more prevalent; this makes it feel more reserved compared with the Ceniprimo bottling below.
WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "Once again, this is my favorite of the three Gran Selezione wines made by Barone Ricasoli. The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole Roncicone offers energy and a great sense of focus thanks to the elegant mineral tones of crushed seashell and chalk that frame a core of elegant berry fruit. Indeed, marine fossils are often discovered in this 10-hectare vineyard site. I love the precision and linearity of the silky and long-lasting finish. The personality is finessed and fine."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "This red is a bit shy today, revealing a core of ripe cherry, strawberry, rose and iron flavors backed by vivid acidity. Its tannins are refined and well-integrated, while the finish is super long, salty and intense. Best from 2027 through 2047. 833 cases made, 400 cases imported."
The Ricasoli name happens to be one of the most important in Italian wine, and especially so in Tuscany! The family tree is rooted in the <>b>historic Chianti region (the stretch of hill country between Florence and Siena) going back to at least to the middle-ages. It was 1800s ancestor, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, who helped shape what the iconic wine from these already-famous hills should be, including promoting the noble Sangiovese grape to its current starring role. Things have changed a bit, but we think the ancestors would be proud - and impressed - with the exciting wines the family is putting out from their ancient fortress, Castello di Brolio!
The Gran Selezione category is meant to be a winery's flagship Chianti Classico, a wine that represents the best from their neck of the woods. Reflecting the Ricasoli's long history in the southern area of Gaiole, they have a fantastic collection of vineyards represented through four Gran Selezione bottlings! The Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione comes from vineyards of different characteristics around the castello itself, which is strategically perched on a high foothill of the Chianti Mountains. Ricasoli's three single-vineyard Gran Selezioni, on the other hand, are focused on pure expressions from renowned sites in the cascade of hills flowing down from the castello; they are extremely elegant, firmly-cored renditions of Chianti Classico, with a sense of lift and aromatic intensity rather than overt power. All of their 2021s are delicious to drink now, given a little time to breathe (even better with an hour in the decanter), but they'll develop true ethereal complexity in the years to come... if you can hold onto them that long!
Further down, the Roncicone vineyard sits on marine sands, and in 2021 ripened a little earlier than the other single vineyards. It's a little fleshier, with riper red-fruited tones relative to the Colledilá bottling, but here the structure, mouthwateringly vibrant and gripping, is more prevalent; this makes it feel more reserved compared with the Ceniprimo bottling below.
WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "Once again, this is my favorite of the three Gran Selezione wines made by Barone Ricasoli. The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole Roncicone offers energy and a great sense of focus thanks to the elegant mineral tones of crushed seashell and chalk that frame a core of elegant berry fruit. Indeed, marine fossils are often discovered in this 10-hectare vineyard site. I love the precision and linearity of the silky and long-lasting finish. The personality is finessed and fine."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "This red is a bit shy today, revealing a core of ripe cherry, strawberry, rose and iron flavors backed by vivid acidity. Its tannins are refined and well-integrated, while the finish is super long, salty and intense. Best from 2027 through 2047. 833 cases made, 400 cases imported."
