In the glass
Aroma: cherry, violet, tobacco, sweet spice
Palate: red plum, leather, graphite
Sangiovese-led Chianti Classico Riserva in a juicier, more accessible Antinori register, with cherry and tobacco at the core.
What it pairs with
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Trattoria pici al ragu
Find trattoria pici al ragu on TableJourney →
Hand-rolled pici pasta and meat ragu sit comfortably with this Riserva's mid-weight tannin. -
Schiacciata fiorentina
Find schiacciata fiorentina on TableJourney →
The salty Tuscan flatbread frames the wine's red fruit. -
Cinghiale in umido
Slow-stewed boar matches the Riserva's leather notes.
How to serve Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Trattoria pici al ragu, Schiacciata fiorentina, Cinghiale in umido. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
One of the longest-running Antinori labels, in continuous production since 1928 and reformulated for Chianti Classico Riserva. The current blend draws fruit from multiple Antinori estates across the DOCG.
- 1928 — First vintage of the Villa Antinori label
- 2001 — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot added to the blend
Facts
- Producer
- Marchesi Antinori
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Merlot (5%), Petit Verdot (5%)
- Classification
- Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
- Oak
- 12 months in barriques and tonneaux
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 20 to 30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3 to 10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1928
Scores
- Wine Advocate 92 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
What does Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva taste like?
On the nose, cherry, violet, tobacco, sweet spice. On the palate, red plum, leather, graphite. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. Sangiovese-led Chianti Classico Riserva in a juicier, more accessible Antinori register, with cherry and tobacco at the core.
When should I drink Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva?
Drink 3 to 10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva?
Trattoria pici al ragu is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Schiacciata fiorentina and Cinghiale in umido. Hand-rolled pici pasta and meat ragu sit comfortably with this Riserva's mid-weight tannin.
What grapes are in Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva?
The blend is Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Merlot (5%), Petit Verdot (5%). The wine is classified as Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva.