As I hope you know, we have a host of very delicious wines on our list. Some require cellaring for years before revealing their true brilliance. Others, you just need to pop the cork, decant for an hour, sit back and enjoy a more immediate pleasure.
I want to introduce the uninitiated to one of the great estates on our list whose wines give immense instant enjoyment: Riecine excel in making quite extraordinarily delicious Sangiovese.
Sean O’Callaghan, an Irishman, has been the wine maker since 1991. On visits to the domaine, we have drunk a plethora of vintages with Sean over dinner and can confirm that he makes utterly delicious Sangiovese-based wines. His Chianti Classico is always in my cellar and is opened and enjoyed on a very regular basis, while the two superior cuvées are just spectacular and get huge scores from the critics.
If you would like a case or two to enjoy over the coming holidays, please let us know.
Chianti Classico Riecine 2013
£96.00 per 6 bottles inc VAT (£16.00 per bt inc VAT)
£105.00 per 3 magnums inc VAT (£35.00 per mg inc VAT)
£90.00 per jeroboam inc VAT (limited)
We just can’t get enough of this outstanding Chianti. Bright berry red colour. Very appealing sweet juicy Victoria plum fruits aromas, with hints of spice and baked fruits. In the palate this is a very approachable style, focusing on succulence of fruit, there is a nice easy open texture. A lovely easy accessible style, charming and giving. David Roberts MW
Riecine di Riecine 2010 (limited)
£195.00 per 6 bottles inc VAT ( £32.50 per bt inc VAT)
The winemaker’s dream was to make a sangiovese in a Burgundy style, hence the Burgundy bottle. Amazing aromas of flowers and strawberry fruit. Full body with a lovely texture of ripe, silky tannins. Almost powdery texture. Full-bodied but agile and refined, with a gorgeous berry and cherry finish featuring just a hint of acidity. Single-vineyard wine. About 2 1/2 years in used barrels and casks. 6,000 bottles made. Best wine ever from here. Drink now or hold. 97 points James Suckling
La Gioia Riecine 2011 (limited)
£239.00 per 6 bottles inc VAT (£39.83 per bt inc VAT)
£249.00 per 6 magnums inc VAT (£83 per mg inc VAT
A powerful red with dried berry, cherry and vanilla aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy and rich. A retro Super Tuscan. This has lots of character but remains fresh and bright. Aged three years in small oak with only 60% new wood. Drink or hold. 94 points James Suckling
