A dense, rich red highlighted by black cherry, blackberry and blueberry flavors, with flashes of vanilla and toasty oak underscored by mineral and wild herbs. Features fine balance and texture. A tannic structure emerges on the earth-tinged finish, suggesting this will need another 2-3 years before it hits its stride. One for the cellar.

Marchesi Antinori's 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Badia a Passignano embraces a ripe fruit profile with sweet cherry and baked plum. Fruit at the Badia a Passignano estate matures very nicely, Marchesi Antinori General Manager Renzo Cotarella tells me. He describes the 2019 season as having abundant rain in the spring and then showing heat that lasted for a good part of the summer. This estate has a total of 56 hectares of vines, but this bottle is born from a selection from 20 hectares.

Lots of violets and blue fruit, as well as black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Rich and layered. Yet, the tannins are long and intense.

Accents of menthol and licorice give a cool herbal edge to this wine’s vibrant raspberry and blackberry flavors. Bold and rich in style, the wine is layered with hints of warm spice and creamy milk chocolate that evolve into baked clay and leather tones. Those flavors should knit together even more gracefully in a few years.