The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is powerful, rich and explosive, with tremendous drive. Even so, several bottles have been quite closed. That is probably a very good sign for the long-term, but readers should not plan on touching a bottle anytime soon. A wine of vertical drive and aromatic nuance, the 2016 Rancia is super-complexed. Only with a few hours of air does it show the nuances and layers that were so evident from barrel. The 2016 is a painfully stubborn wine in the early going, but it will offer superb drinking pleasure for those who can wait.

A decadent Chianti Classico Riserva that shows plenty of cedar, spices, leather, wet earth and tobacco, but also really fresh undertones of dried orange rind and strawberries. Integrated and structured on the palate with a velvety mouthfeel and mouth-refreshing acidity. Drink now or hold.

The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia knocks it out of the park. Like the other new releases from Fèlsina, this pure expression of Sangiovese needs more time to evolve and improve with bottle age. But even at this young stage, you are made fully aware of the beautiful intensity and complexity of the quality fruit at its core. There is so much energy and tension here, further reinforced by the fresh acidity of the vintage. There are vibrant tones of wild cherry, raspberry and spice, followed up by white truffle and tilled earth.

Castelnuovo Berardenga. 100% Sangiovese. Lustrous mid ruby. Hints of cherry fruit and cumin on the nose. Succulent cherry fruit and raspberry coulis with crunchy tannins on the palate. Lovely length and bite. (WS)