Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2020
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WS 94, #24 Top 100 Of 2023] [JS 93] [DM 91]

About the Wienry:

Tenuta di Arceno is an ancient Tuscan estate with a diverse portfolio of the highest quality wines across two classification levels – three wines centered on the native Sangiovese grape in the Chianti Classico DOCG collection; and three wines celebrating the estate’s international varieties under the Toscana IGT designation. The estate is situated at the southernmost-edge of Chianti Classico, closest in proximity to Siena and rightfully referred to as ‘the most Senese Chianti Classico.

The estate is 1,000 total hectares (2,500 acres) of which 90 hectares (220 acres) are planted to vines – the remaining land is preserved for native vegetation including 50 hectares (125 acres) of olive orchards. Separated into 63 distinct vineyard blocks, the vineyards are planted to 50% Sangiovese and 50% international varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Notes from the Winemaker:

The Chianti Classico Riserva comes from some of the warmer, south-facing blocks at the estate. It is composed almost entirely of Sangiovese and spends one year in small French oak barrels. This is the epitome of modern Chianti with its dark color, pure fruit, balance, power and velvety tannins. The dominant flavors include violets, plums, cherries, orange peel, earth, licorice, cedar and smoke.

94 Points, #24 Top 100 Of 2023 - Wine Spectator:
"A supple, fluid red marked by flavors of macerated cherry, raspberry and boysenberry. Well-structured, with flashes of graphite and tobacco as this builds to the long, compact finish. All the components are there, this just needs time. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2042. 6,100 squares made, 4,453 squares imported." - BS (Oct 2023)

94 Points - Italy's WinesCritic.com:
"Cherries, raspberries, currants, white chocolate, magnolias and gardenias describe the primary profile of this solid, elegant Riserva. Medium to full bodied, soft tannins and a truly tasty, modern finish. Better from 2025." - Raffaele Vecchione

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of cherry chocolate, dried orange peel, rose petals and nutmeg on the nose, following through to a medium body with crunchy tannins and polished texture. Hints of fresh cherries and dried flowers with crushed stone character at the end. Drink or hold." (Jul 2023)

91 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
"This Riserva is sourced from around 11ha of Arceno's warmer south-facing sites at around 340m above sea level. The wine spends 10 months in used French oak barriques, with further time in the bottle. Still quite closed, this 2020 displays aromas of blackcurrant leaf, cherry and balsam, with an underlying earthy tone. Cool red fruits and ripe black berries accompany fine, structural tannins, some more earthy nuance and a lick of chocolate on the finish. Give it another year before opening." - James Button (Apr 2023)