2012 Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Badia Chianti Classico Riserva

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet. 60% in barrels and 40% in new Hungarian and French oak barriques of 2nd and 3rd passage. Bright, quite dense crimson. I suppose the depth of colour comes from the Cabernet. Good balance. Well put together international wine, but not essence of Chianti. A little bit of an oak veil. Sweet. (JR)

The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori is Sangiovese that has been enhanced by small percentages of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit is sourced from the various properties owned by the Antinori family in the Chianti Classico appellation such as Badia a Passignano, Tenuta Tignanello and Peppoli. The family just bought a new property called San Sano near Castello di Ama and some of that fruit was used here too. This wine shows very nice ripeness with luscious, dark fruit flavors backed by spice and leather.

Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spices and mint flesh out in the 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with considerable richness, the 2012 shows the darker, more voluptuous side of Chianti Classico. Even with all of its intensity, the 2012 retains considerable freshness. Dollops of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon round out the blend.