This put me right back in Tuscany. Classic cherry, tobacco, sage and spice notes with a little oak toast, great acidity and tannin structure, with the herb notes coming forward in the finish, but not covering up the fruit. It’s the first of the ’10 Riserva wines that I’ve tasted, and it makes me want to explore this heralded vintage in Italy. Bistecca alla Fiorentina, lightly seasoned, would be a nice mutual elevation pairing.
Brancaia, Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2010
By Rich Cook