Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello 2016

On the hill overlooking the medieval hamlet of Monteraponi is the farmhouse and winery of the same name. It is centuries old, but it was only in 2003 that the current owner, Michele Braganti, decided to stop selling his Chianti Classico fruit off to other growers and start bottling his own wine. In the relatively short time since, Monteraponi has established itself as one of the finest producers in the entire Chianti region. At around 570m altitidue, the vineyards are among the highest in Chianti Classico, and the winemaking is traditional and low-tech. Fermentation is done with wild yeasts in concrete vats, and the wines are then aged in large old oak barrels. They are bottled unfined and unfiltered. Il Campitello is made from the estate oldest vines, which are separated from the rest by a forest. It is concentrated and perfumed, with layers of raspberry fruit and herby notes, all supported by lovely freshness and fine, silky tannins.

Concentrated mid ruby. Beautiful, lifted, perfumed red-fruit nose. Embryonic red-fruit palate with vibrant acidity and beautifully polished tannins.

18 points

Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com, 11/02/2019