The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo offers up scents of plum, blackberry, dried herbs, leather, cedar, tobacco and licorice. This virile Riserva captures plenty of the earthy, somber power often found in wines from Castelnuovo Berardenga. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2024)
— 5 months ago
A Benjamin Button wine. When I opened it last night, it initially was quite disappointing. Old, browning color, nose showing little fruit and mostly dried underbrush. But it began to perk up with an hour or so of air, so I saved the rest for tonight. And it’s pretty nice tonight! Strangely, the color has gotten more youthful looking. The nose shows dark macerated cherry with a significant iron note to the earthiness. A lifted menthol/ camphor thing. In the mouth, it’s got a nice freshness, and hits more like a Chianti Classico Riserva from Castelnuovo Berardenga than a typical Brunello. Dark cherry and lots of savory minerality. A little, nice bitter note in the close. Not super deep or lengthy, but a tasty wine nonetheless. Be sure to decant and give this wine lots of air. — 9 months ago
Deep ruby color.
Aromas of cherry, tomato leaf, earthy.
Dry. Flavors of cherry, earthy, tomato leaf, sun-dried tomato. Savory & earthy. Rich, velvety tannins.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 4/5 — a month ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed with a simple meal of pasta all’arrabbiata and over the course of a few hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, orange bitters, exotic spices, black tea, black licorice, some dried green herbs and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and lithe in body. I’ve long been a fan of Fèlsina fan and their Chianti Classico and Riserva especially so. When it’s a great vintage like 2021? Back up the truck. These will drink well through 2031 with ease. I can’t wait to try the CCR! — 3 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of tart and ripe red and black fruit: Morello cherry, blackberry, black tea, dried green herbs, dry gravelly earth, and theres a little bit of VA too. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and zippy with a very elegant texture. A lovely example of the 2020 vintage. Drink now through 2035. — 2 months ago
Medium ruby in color, sparkling; raspberries and blueberries on the nose; tastes like cherry jolly ranchers and candied berries. A really nice dessert wine. I like it. — 5 months ago
Poured into a decanter about 90min before service; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2010 “Poggio delle Rose” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherries compote, red flowers, balsamic, oiled leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. This is a flashier expression of Chianti Classico Riserva by Castell’in Villa, with a modern touch. However, the sense of place is not even a question. This is Castelnuovo Berardenga through and through. Drinking well now with an extended decant and will continue to drink well through 2030, easy. — 8 months ago
Alan Johnston
3.4. Lovely Chianti. On sale for $24.99, regularly $28.99. Would definitely buy again. — 9 days ago