Casaloste, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018

Rich, dark, intense and perfumed. A delicious and versatile Chianti full of concentrated strawberries, blackberries and plums with nuances of pepper. Smooth and satiny, there's a certain headiness to this but it has freshness and drive and a satisfyingly cool finish. Have with grilled meat or a plentiful cheese board.

Casaloste's 10 hectares of vineyard are located in Panzano, and this Chianti Classico was first produced in 1993. Predominantly Sangiovese with 10% Merlot, it's fermented in stainless steel then matured in French oak barriques for 12 months. Scents of potpourri and fleshy dark hedgerow fruits lead to intense and sweetly ripe red fruit flavours with violet overtones. There's plenty of lifted spice and gum-tingling acidity, balanced by mouth-coating chalky tannins - this is not shy! Drink now or cellar for a few years.