2019 - Chianti Classico Colledila Gran Selezione, Barone Ricasoli

The Barone Ricasoli 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colledilà exudes an elegant fruit profile, but the wine is not without significant intensity and concentration too. With Sangiovese from clayey limestone soils rich in calcium carbonate and poor in organic matter, this wine also boasts that beautiful minerality that we saw in the others. Delicate berry fruit cedes to crushed oyster shell, dark spice and campfire ash. To the palate, the wine is high, firm and long.

The Ricasoli 2019 Colledila Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is my favorite of the three Ricasoli Gran Selezione, because of the purity and precision of the fruit and aromas. Colledila comes from Sangiovese grown on 7.62 hectares of vineyard at 380 meters above sea level, facing south-east and on a clayey, limestone soil, rich in calcium carbonate and clay and poor in organic matter. The fruit aromas and flavors are cooler and bluer with sweet violet notes together with ripe cherry and bitter cherry flavors. Beautiful floral aromas fill the glass on standing and swirling. On the palate there is a lovely, gentle texture and weight and a fresh burst of acidity which starts from the middle and continues to the finish. The tannins are very finely textured and yet clipped, clean and very upright giving a firm, refined finish. This, together with mouthwatering freshness from the acidity and a pure, just-ripe, wild cherry quality to the fruit (crunchy rather than overripe) makes for a very lovely, classy example of Sangiovese! Drink 2024 to 2044.

The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colledilà is another terrific wine in this range from Brolio. It marries energy with depth, showing plenty of nuance as well as character. Dark red cherry/plum fruit, mocha, tobacco, blood orange and incense all run through this deep, fleshy Gran Selezione. The 2019 Colledilà is one of the best wines I have tasted from Brolio in some time.

Sangiovese planted in 2002 on Alberese soils at 380 m above sea level facing south-east. 15,000–25,000 bottles, a total that will increase (Castello di Brolio can be up to 30,000–50,000 bottles though there was no 2017 even though they made the crus.) Many years went into this before releasing it apparently. Very aromatic. Fresh and sinewy with lots of acidity and muscularity. Some stoniness. Very fluid. (JR)