2022 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico, Tuscany

This juicy, well-balanced Chianti Classico delivers fresh, vibrant red berry and cherry fruit with touches of white pepper and hibiscus. Quite firm and juicy, with nicely chewy tannins and a dainty, succulent finish. Effortlessly drinkable, but will also hold well for the next few years.

92 points jamessuckling.com

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico from Tuscany is a beautifully crafted and deeply authentic expression of Sangiovese from the high altitude hills of Gaiole, one of the most historic and prestigious communes in the Chianti Classico zone. The estate sits on land once owned by the influential Ricasoli family, whose ancestors essentially wrote the original formula for Chianti Classico in the eighteen hundreds. Today, Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi continues that lineage with a modern, organic approach that has turned Rocca di Montegrossi into one of the finest producers in the region. The vineyards are planted on classic Galestro and Alberese limestone, soils that endow the wine with tension, minerality and the chiselled structure that Gaiole is so admired for. At elevations reaching over five hundred metres, the fruit ripens slowly, building aromatic lift and vibrant acidity.

Winemaking is traditional yet polished. Grapes are hand picked at perfect ripeness, destemmed and fermented in temperature controlled tanks to preserve purity. Maceration is long and gentle, extracting Sangiovese’s characteristic tannin without heaviness. The wine is then aged in a combination of large neutral oak casks and smaller tonneaux, a balanced approach that respects the fruit while adding subtle layers of spice and texture. Rocca di Montegrossi has become known for its combination of precision and warmth, producing Chianti Classico that is both structured and seductive.

In the glass it shows a radiant ruby colour. The nose is lifted, perfumed and wonderfully refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and blood orange leading the way. Layers of dried rose, violet, cedar, warm earth and Tuscan herbs follow, along with hints of redcurrant, spice and a touch of graphite from its limestone rich soils. As the wine opens, subtle savoury depths appear with notes of leather, tea leaf and faint balsamic.

The palate is medium bodied, pure and beautifully poised. Bright red fruits glide across fine grained tannins supported by lively acidity that brings energy and drive. Flavours of cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and plum merge with herbal tones, sweet spice, a delicate mineral thread and gentle oak framing. The texture is silky yet firm in the classic Gaiole style, finishing long, savoury and elegantly structured. The wine has excellent balance and will age gracefully for eight to twelve years, building added complexity and mellowed tannins.

Pair it with bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow cooked lamb with rosemary, porcini risotto, tomato based pasta, roast chicken with herbs, charcuterie, aged pecorino or simple Tuscan bean dishes. Its freshness and savoury detail make it a superb match for a wide range of Mediterranean flavours.