2019 Gagliole, Agricola - Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG (750ml)

Gagliole traces its roots to an estate first documented in 994 AD near Castellina in Chianti, though its modern story began in 1990 when Swiss couple Monika and Thomas Bär-Bettschart fell for the property and decided to become winemakers. In 2011 the family expanded into Panzano's famed Conca d'Oro, adding a second vineyard site and eventually a new, sustainably built winery powered by geothermal and solar energy. Since 2016 the entire estate has farmed organically, and this Riserva, only in its second vintage in 2019, was created to bridge the gap between the estate's entry-level wines and its top Gran Selezione bottling.

The fruit for this Riserva is sourced exclusively from the Panzano vineyards, prized for their sun-drenched exposure within the Conca d'Oro and their particular suitability to Sangiovese. After fermentation the wine spent about twelve months in neutral oak followed by a further six months resting in cement, a combination chosen to build structure without adding heavy oak character. The result is a wine with an intense ruby color and notable depth for a Riserva of this style.

The nose offers black cherry, anise, and dried lavender, joined by hints of graphite and white pepper. On the palate it is medium to full bodied, with fine tannins and a silky, juicy finish that carries real length. Its balance of fruit and structure makes it a natural partner for grilled red meats, wild boar ragu, or aged sheep's milk cheeses.