Castelli del Grevepesa, Castelgreve, Chianti Classico Riserva, 2013

The Castelli del Grevepesa co-operative was established in 1965 by a group of 18 Chianti Classico winemakers and growers. Today there are 150 members, who own a range of vineyards and estates in different areas including Panzano, Lamole and Greve di Chianti. A team of oenologists oversee the production of this Chianti Classico Riserva, which is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, hand-picked and matured in large oak barrels for two years. Andrea Briccarello: Very charming and attractive nose with herbal hints and menthol tones. Intense and complex on the palate, with generous layers of red forest fruits, spice and leather. A very seductive style, with plenty of charm and complexity. Susan Hulme MW: Warm and inviting notes of smoke, bonfire, ripe dark cherries and forest floor on nose, with a hint of greenness, reminiscent of woodland walks. Very smooth and silky textured mid-palate. Lovely weight and balance to this wine, which flows beautifully across the palate. Andrew Jefford: Enticingly subtle vanilla and lavish spice. A very concentrated, deep and searching wine of impressive intricacy and depth of allusions – and one which needs longer to grow out of its vanilla spice and express more of those forest and field notes. Ripe, ringing, fruited acidity and tannins, too, very finely spliced to the fruits: outstanding work here.