Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
Climate
Chianti Classico’s 2018 growing season started with normal winter conditions both in terms of temperatures and precipitation levels. Despite these climatic conditions, the vines began bud break one week earlier than the area’s seasonal averages. Springtime brought repeated rain showers and lower than average temperatures, especially in May, while June and July were hot and dry with no extreme weather events. Some rainfall in August and a dry breezy spell in September allowed the grape to progress to ideal ripeness, guaranteeing good sugar levels and excellent phenolic maturity. Harvesting activities began mid-September.
Vinification
The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed then transferred into stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature that did not exceed 30 °C (86 °F). Maceration on the skins lasted for a period of approximately 12-15 days using controlled automated techniques to gently extract aromas, structure, and supple tannins. Sangiovese underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats while the other grape varieties went into second and third fill barriques. The various lots were blended and continued to age in oak, predominantly in larger format barrels and a smaller percentage in barriques, up until spring 2020. The wine was bottled in July 2020.
Historical Data
Villa Antinori is, first and foremost, an idea, a way of conceiving the production of wine: on the one hand, experimentation and evolution, on the other hand, continuity in tradition. Sangiovese and other complementary grape varieties render their homage to an historic label and a wine with a long tradition,: this name, in fact, is almost one hundred years old, as the wine was produced for the first time in the 1928 vintage. With the inauguration of the Antinori Chianti Classico cellars, the family wished to reinterpret a Tuscan classic with a Riserva offering which is both delicate and, at the same time, elegant and decisive in flavor.
Tasting Notes
Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 is ruby red in color. On the nose it offers fruity notes of plums and black cherries accompanied by balsamic and minty aromas, and a complex spicy sensation of cocoa and tobacco. On the palate, its entry is smooth and mouth filling. Sweet tannins impart length and a savory, persistent finish.
The Wine
Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is a blend of Sangiovese together with other complementary varieties produced as a tribute to Antinori’s historic label that has accompanied the family’s winemaking traditions over the years. The inauguration of the new winery Antinori nel Chianti Classico inspired the family to reinterpret this Tuscan classic into a premium quality wine with unmistakable style, the resulting Riserva is delicate, decisive and elegant.
Climate
Chianti Classico’s 2018 growing season started with normal winter conditions both in terms of temperatures and precipitation levels. Despite these climatic conditions, the vines began bud break one week earlier than the area’s seasonal averages. Springtime brought repeated rain showers and lower than average temperatures, especially in May, while June and July were hot and dry with no extreme weather events. Some rainfall in August and a dry breezy spell in September allowed the grape to progress to ideal ripeness, guaranteeing good sugar levels and excellent phenolic maturity. Harvesting activities began mid-September.
Vinification
The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed then transferred into stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature that did not exceed 30 °C (86 °F). Maceration on the skins lasted for a period of approximately 12-15 days using controlled automated techniques to gently extract aromas, structure, and supple tannins. Sangiovese underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats while the other grape varieties went into second and third fill barriques. The various lots were blended and continued to age in oak, predominantly in larger format barrels and a smaller percentage in barriques, up until spring 2020. The wine was bottled in July 2020.
Historical Data
Villa Antinori is, first and foremost, an idea, a way of conceiving the production of wine: on the one hand, experimentation and evolution, on the other hand, continuity in tradition. Sangiovese and other complementary grape varieties render their homage to an historic label and a wine with a long tradition,: this name, in fact, is almost one hundred years old, as the wine was produced for the first time in the 1928 vintage. With the inauguration of the Antinori Chianti Classico cellars, the family wished to reinterpret a Tuscan classic with a Riserva offering which is both delicate and, at the same time, elegant and decisive in flavor.
Tasting Notes
Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 is ruby red in color. On the nose it offers fruity notes of plums and black cherries accompanied by balsamic and minty aromas, and a complex spicy sensation of cocoa and tobacco. On the palate, its entry is smooth and mouth filling. Sweet tannins impart length and a savory, persistent finish.
Villa Antinori
Villa Antinori is an important corner stone as its name is associated with over 100 years of history. At the same time it represents ongoing progress. The one essential principle is continuous research for increasingly higher quality standards. This idea produced two different wines that share a common passion for quality: Villa Antinori Rosso and Villa Antinori Bianco. Villa Antinori was originally produced in 1928 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori as a Chianti Classico that could age and that would improve over time. Soon after, Villa Antinori was found in the most prestigious cellars in embassies, royal houses, important hotels and restaurants. In 1931, Villa Antinori Bianco was made from traditional Trebbiano grapes. In the 1980’s a small percentage of Chardonnay was added in order to give the wine better structure.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
