Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni 2018

Delicious and elegantly structured, this opens with alluring aromas of fragrant blue flower, black-skinned fruit, eucalyptus and espresso. On the savory, focused palate, bright acidity and lithe, fine-grained tannins accompany juicy black cherry, mocha, licorice and crushed mint. Drink through 2028.

A new wine in this range, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni is effusive, deep and powerful. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather and dried herbs all open in the glass. Bright saline notes extend the finish nicely. The 2018 offers a compelling balance of fruit richness and energy.

Here's an exciting discovery from Castello di Ama. An inaugural vintage, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni sources its fruit from a vineyard site planted next to the celebrated Bellavista parcel in 1997. Showing a classic Tuscan spirt that is playful and mischievous, this wine is beautiful and bright with loads of ripe and soft fruit flavors, spanning from cherry to plum and violets to potting soil. The wine is medium-bodied and lean, but it shows enough intensity and freshness to make a really nice and lasting impact on the palate. I can recommend a solid 10-year drinking window for this cheerful bottle.

Bright black cherry and blackberry flavors highlight this round, fruity red. Lively acidity and fine-grained tannins are integrated and lend support. A touch of earth graces the finish. Drink now. 3,333 cases made, 250 cases imported.