2021 Coli Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany

Coli Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG is a traditional Tuscan red that delivers the depth, savouriness, and elegance that the region’s wines are celebrated for. Coli is a long-established Tuscan producer, founded in 1926, and based in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has built a reputation for crafting wines that respect tradition while offering great value, and their Riserva bottling is a classic expression of Sangiovese from these historic hills.

The wine is made predominantly from Sangiovese, with small amounts of complementary Tuscan varieties often included to enhance complexity. Grapes are harvested from hillside vineyards within the Chianti Classico DOCG zone, where galestro and alberese soils and a mix of warm days and cool nights give fruit with intensity and freshness. After fermentation, the wine is aged for at least two years in oak (as required by Riserva rules), developing savoury spice, structure, and refined tannins before release.

In the glass, Coli Chianti Classico Riserva shows a deep ruby colour with garnet highlights. Aromas of dried cherry, red plum, violets, and tobacco mingle with leather, earthy spice, and hints of balsamic. The palate is medium-bodied but firm, with lively acidity, fine-grained tannins, and flavours of sour cherry, dried herbs, cedar, and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. It strikes a perfect balance between fruit, savouriness, and structure, making it both food-friendly and cellar-worthy.

This Riserva pairs beautifully with traditional Tuscan dishes such as bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or pappardelle with porcini mushrooms. It’s also excellent alongside aged pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano. With careful cellaring, it can evolve gracefully for 8–12 years, gaining more leather, spice, and earthy complexity.