2021 Castello di Meleto - Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml)

Castello di Meleto sits in Gaiole in Chianti, one of the highest and most historic communes within the Chianti Classico zone, with a history that traces back to 1256. The estate was revived in 1968 through one of Italy's first crowdfunding ventures in wine, and today spans roughly 1,000 hectares of vineyards, woods, and olive groves. It stands as the largest certified organic producer in Chianti Classico.

This Riserva draws on Sangiovese grapes, blended with a small portion of Merlot, sourced from five distinct sub-zones on the property: Casi, Meleto, Poggiarso, Moci, and San Piero. Grapes are picked and sorted by hand before undergoing spontaneous fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks, followed by extended maceration. The wine then ages for twenty-one to twenty-four months, split evenly between large Slavonian oak casks and French oak barrels, before a further rest in bottle.

In the glass, the wine shows a deep ruby color moving toward garnet with age, opening to aromas of cherry, wild berries, violet, and warm spice. On the palate it is round and velvety, with firm yet polished tannins and a long, persistent finish. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, game, and aged pecorino or other Tuscan cheeses.