Better than the 2019, astutely made to pair with a chicken parm or a pasta bolognaise or some pizza. Mid bodied, mild fruit with a prefect balance.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori shows the mid-weight style of the year nicely. Silky and aromatic, the 2018 is super-expressive right out of the gate. Dark red cherry, spice, menthol and leather build into the gracious, persistent finish. This is very nicely done.

Vanilla, coconut and herbs followed by pencil shavings and ground pepper and finally strawberries and cherries arrive in that order on the nose, with the palate mirroring and revealing the same components in reverse order, against taut tannins.

This is packed tightly with cherry, pomegranate, plum, earth and Mediterranean scrub flavors. Lively and fresh midpalate, while the dense, chewy tannins flex their muscles on the finish. Give this time. Best from 2026 through 2043. 41,667 cases made, 7,083 cases imported.

Vanilla, coconut and herbs followed by pencil shavings and ground pepper and finally strawberries and cherries arrive in that order on the nose, with the palate mirroring and revealing the same components in reverse order, against taut tannins.

This wine sources its fruit from across the Chianti Classico appellation, as Marchesi Antinori has access to parcels throughout the various comuni represented. The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori opens to a sweet note of summer cherry and wild plum that is so characteristic of Sangiovese. The wine is shapely and soft with some distant oak spice, blue flower and potting soil. A small part of Merlot is blended in to add that extra plushness that I have described.