Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico 2019 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent February 17th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Castelli del Grevepesa, a modern co-operative winery that was established in the Chianti Classico wine region of Tuscany in 1965 by visionary Sir Armando Nunzi and an initial group of 17 winegrowers. Situated in Greve in Chianti, the co-operative model allowed small growers to pool their resources to collectively make wines. Castelli del Grevepesa was one of Italy's first co-operative wineries.

Today, Castelli del Grevepesa is Chianti Classico's largest family with over 120 associate growers. Together, they promote the land, while also safeguarding and maintaining the age-old tradition of Tuscan winegrowing. As many of these growers are small, family-owned farms that have been handed down along ancestral lines for generations, the long-established knowledge and traditions are still transferred from one generation to the next. As a co-operative, they also share knowledge and use modern and innovative production methods and techniques to craft their wines. With passion and love for their land, Castelli del Grevepesa's mission is to produce wines of high quality at affordable prices.

This red wine is from Castelli del Grevepesa's historical line of wines named Castelgreve, a collection of wines that have been produced since the 1970s and whose name is derived from the company's full name. The Castelgreve collection of wines reflects the winery's dedication to crafting high-quality wines which represent the essence of the Chianti Classico region. Like the 2018 Castelgreve Riserva Chianti Classico that I enjoyed about a year and a half ago, this red wine is crafted mainly with Sangiovese (min. 80% as per the regulations), plus other permitted varieties. After hand-harvesting the grapes with individual grape selection, it was fermented at a controlled temperature. It was matured for a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels, followed by further refinement for 3 months in bottle.

While 2018 was a challenging vintage, 2019 was a comparatively easy ride as it was much drier with no humidity, as well as without the drought and heat spikes of 2017. Quantity and quality is high across the region, with an excellent vintage that will enhance the characteristic features of the Sangiovese grape and the many facets of such a widely varied area in rich soil diversity and microclimates. Let's see how this 2019 Riserva Chianti Classico from Tuscany is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - Sustainable, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#344416) (XD) - $23.95
Crafted mainly with Sangiovese, the medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers enticing red and black cherry, spices, cedar wood, wet earth, and baking spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied and dry with elegant red and black cherry, and savoury wet earth flavours accented with oak spice, cedar, and forest floor notes. It has fresh, juicy acidity and while the grainy textured tannins have some tannic grip. There's a touch of graphite minerality on the mid-palate which lingers through to the savoury, smoky, long, and juicy finish. Best enjoyed over the next 4-5 years and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Castelli del Grevepesa are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.