Spiced plums and cherries with hints of graphite, minerals and a savory edge. Tight and complete with lots of crunchy tannins, but it's really silky and fine, too. Transparent and extremely poised and drinkable. Tasty now, but can hold, too.

The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva is a potent, brooding wine. Black cherry, chocolate, new leather, torrefaction, tobacco, incense and scorched earth add to an impression of somber intensity. This powerhouse Riserva could use another year or two in bottle, but I imagine it will always be quite the bomb.

Smooth and round, this red is as much about texture and balance as it is cherry, strawberry and floral aromas and flavors. Shows a terrific, well-integrated structure that lends intensity and fine grip on the long, mineral-tinged finish.