Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga 2019

Tuscany, Italy

Kerin O’Keefe 96 points! Wine Advocate 91! Wine Spectator 90! James Suckling 94 points!

Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is a gorgeous wine from this famous appellation of Tuscany. Fattoria di Felsina has long been one of the great names in Tuscany. Based in the Chianti Classico region, Felsina produces one of the finest ranges of ageworthy and complex Chianti bottlings. Unlike many of their neighbors, Felsina has never succumbed to the temptation to produce “new age” wines blended with Cabernet or Merlot. Felsina wines are classic Chianti, 100% Sangiovese. The Riserva is made from vines 50 years or older.

“Crushed mint, woodland berry and violet aromas come to the forefront on this chiseled, savory red. All about finesse and energy, it’s vibrant and delicious, delivering juicy red cherry, ripe raspberry and baking spice alongside taut, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it perfectly balanced. Drink through 2034.”-Kerin O’Keefe, 96 points!

“The Fèlsina 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga shows bright fruit and crushed stone, although my impression of this wine—along with the other new releases from this celebrated estate in this vintage—is that the overall results are a bit thinner than usual. This wine is tight and compact with mint, balsam herb, black fruit, tobacco, licorice and tea leaf. The results are medium-bodied and fresh, and the finish is not especially long. The wine ages in second- and third-use barrique for up to 16 months. Some 70,000 bottles were released. Drink 2022-2029.”—Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 91 points!

Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is deep ruby red in color with a beautiful nose of dark cherries, plums, berries, spices and violets. It is medium-full in body with moderate acidity, silky tannins and intense minerality. Aged for 12 months in small and medium oak casks, it is nicely balanced to enjoy now or to cellar for 12-15 years. The finish is rich, long and polished.

Enjoy Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga with veal, pasta, osso buco, and aged cheeses.