Decanter’s “Standout” Chianti Classico Producers
Really positive reviews for our two excellent Chianti Classico partners in Decanter magazine — Rocca di Montegrossi and L’Erta di Radda. Both producers were named “standouts” among today’s Chianti Classico; from the magazine:
Rocca di Montegrossi: Consistently excellent quality at both the annata and Gran Selezione levels.
2016 Rocca di Montegrossi Vigneto San Marcellino Gran Selezione
“San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape … Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish.” — Michaela Morris, Decanter
2019 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico
“Owner Marco Ricasoli recalls the harvest of 2019 as unusually calm … While his wines never lack freshness, the 2019 is positively racy! Scents of blackberry and fennel are interlaced with smoke, and the palate brings together brambly fruit with fleshy red plum. This is mouthfilling and clean, with ripe, smooth tannins that are chalky textured – plus all of that vibrant acidity.” — Michaela Morris, Decanter
L’Erta di Radda: An up-and-coming boutique producer making fresh, understated yet nuanced wines in Radda.
2018 L’Erta di Radda Chianti Classico
“From his five hectares in Radda-in-Chianti, Diego Finocchi produces two Chianti Classicos. While the Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese, single-vineyard bottling this annata sees a small percentage of Canaiolo Nero. It is a compact, firm, linear wine that impresses with its tactile, textural complexity. Crunchy cranberry and redcurrant meet savoury, sappy nuances. The acidity kicks in on the finish, along with lingering mineral-like notes.” — Michaela Morris, Decanter
2017 L’Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva
“From a single-vineyard atop a hill in the middle of a valley, this windy site sees significant day and nighttime temperature differences and boasts an iron-rich soil. An understated wine with a savoury mineral character, this somewhat defies the vintage. Accents of forest brush, wild sage and sunbaked dusty earth are subtle. Midweight yet tight and firm, the palate offers inner-mouth perfume of pomegranate and orange. It’s rather sneaky and energetic, with a mouthful of crushed stones on the finish.” — Michaela Morris, Decanter
