2018 Piccini Antica Cinta Chianti Riserva DOCG, Tuscany

Piccini has been part of the Tuscan wine landscape since 1882, when Angiolo Piccini established the family business in the heart of Chianti. Now several generations on, the family has grown well beyond its original estate, but Tuscany and Sangiovese remain at its core. Antica Cinta sits in a particularly appealing place in the range, delivering the savoury, food friendly character of mature Chianti without demanding a grand occasion or a grand budget.

The 2018 vintage gave Tuscany a more classical expression after the heat and concentration of 2017. Sangiovese benefited from the season’s freshness, producing wines with fragrant red fruit, lively acidity and supple structure. Riserva ageing adds another dimension here, and with several years in bottle the youthful cherry fruit has begun to mingle with the earthy, leathery flavours that make mature Chianti such a pleasure at the table.

Medium garnet with brick red beginning to appear at the rim, the bouquet moves through Morello cherry, dried cranberry and red plum into violet, dried oregano and blood orange. Tobacco leaf, leather, anise, black tea and a touch of terracotta emerge with air. The palate is savoury and nicely resolved, with dried cherry and plum carried by fresh acidity and softened, gently dusty tannins. Orange peel, herbs and tobacco linger through a dry, earthy finish.

Bring out pappardelle with duck ragù, Tuscan sausages with white beans and sage, eggplant parmigiana, porchetta with fennel or a porcini and taleggio pizza. Our pick is the eggplant parmigiana. Tomato, melted cheese and caramelised eggplant are exactly what mature Sangiovese’s cherry, herbs and savoury acidity are waiting for.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2029.