2016 Carta Bianca Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany - 750ml

From Castellina in Chianti and associated with Nittardi, Carta Bianca is a mature Riserva from an excellent Tuscan vintage, centered on the savory, red-fruited character of Sangiovese. Nearly a decade of bottle age has moved the 2016 beyond youthful fruit toward a more integrated expression of dried cherry, herbs, earth and spice.

Blend: Sangiovese.

Tasting Notes: Red cherry and dark cherry are joined by dried cranberry, orange peel and violet, with tobacco, leather, dried herbs and earthy spice emerging with air. The palate is savory and composed, with mature red fruit, fresh acidity and increasingly resolved tannins leading to a dry, persistent finish.

Structure: Medium-bodied, with Sangiovese’s naturally bright acidity providing energy and definition. The tannins have softened considerably with age, leaving a balanced, food-friendly structure and an increasingly savory profile.

Drink Window: Now–2029. The 2016 is fully within its drinking window and should be particularly attractive now for those who enjoy Chianti Classico with some tertiary development rather than purely primary fruit.

Decanting: Stand the bottle upright beforehand in case sediment has formed. Decant gently for sediment and give the wine approximately 20–30 minutes to open; at this stage of maturity, extended aeration is unnecessary.

At nearly ten years from vintage, this Riserva offers the appeal of mature Chianti Classico without requiring further cellar time. Its combination of red fruit, savory development and fresh acidity makes it particularly well suited to bistecca alla Fiorentina, roast meats, wild boar ragù, mushrooms and aged Pecorino.