Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2017

Made with fruit that is sourced from various points in the appellation, the hot-vintage Marchesi Antinori 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori is Sangiovese with a tiny part of Merlot blended in to round off and soften the wine. The fruit is rich and concentrated with ripe plum, summer cherry and blackberry. Spice, leather and mild tobacco play supporting roles. The quality of those aromas is bold and dark, and the wine ultimately delivers more in terms of power and intensity than it does fine nuance. That's what makes this wine so well suited to breaded veal or grilled sausage. Some 180,000 bottles were made.

A very finely crafted red with berry, walnut and light coffee-bean character. It’s medium-bodied and tight with intense tannins and a flavorful finish. Very racy and intense. Drinkable now, but will be even better in a year or two. Try after 2021.

Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, warm spice and blue flower mingle with a balsamic whiff of menthol. The firm, medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and a hint of espresso alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2021–2027.