2021 Poggiotondo Chianti Riserva DOCG, Tuscany

A step up in depth and detail from the straight Chianti, the Riserva from Poggiotondo shows Alberto Antonini’s more serious side, still organic, still site driven, but with more time and structure behind it. Sourced from the hills around Cerreto Guidi, the focus is on purity of Sangiovese with a bit more weight and ageing potential.

The 2021 vintage brings both ripeness and tension. Sour cherry, red plum and a darker edge of blackberry come through, layered with violet, dried herbs and a touch of tobacco. There’s a savoury thread running underneath, spice, a little earth and a hint of leather beginning to emerge.

On the palate it sits in the medium to full bodied range with firmer, more structured tannins than the entry wines. The fruit is concentrated but still fresh, carried by a line of acidity that keeps everything in balance. Flavours move into more savoury territory, herbs, spice and a faint mineral edge, finishing long and composed.

Antonini’s winemaking is precise and measured, longer élevage and careful oak use building complexity while keeping the wine clean and expressive.

This is where the food can step up. Think pappardelle with wild boar ragù, slow cooked lamb with rosemary, or a classic bistecca. It also works beautifully with dishes like eggplant parmigiana, mushroom and herb dishes, or a rich lentil stew, where the wine’s structure and acidity come into play.

Already drinking well with a bit of air, it will continue to evolve over the next eight to twelve years, gaining more savoury, earthy complexity while softening into a more seamless whole.