Villa di Geggiano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2019

Villa di Geggiano has been in the Bianchi Bandinelli family since 1527, with documented winemaking dating to 1725, when Niccolò Bandinelli was already producing high-quality wine at Geggiano and exporting it to Great Britain. During this period, Chianti was largely considered an agricultural commodity rather than a fine wine. His ambition helped establish the idea of Tuscan wine as a luxury product for an international market.

After most of the agricultural estate was given to its sharecroppers in 1959, commercial wine production declined until Andrea and Alessandro Boscu Bianchi Bandinelli, with partner Malcolm Caplan, largely revived it in 1995. Their approach has centered on organic farming, biodiversity, manual vineyard work, and a traditional, terroir-driven style, with the goal of making expressive Sangiovese with real personality and history rather than highly manipulated wines.

In the cellar, Geggiano favors hand-harvested fruit, gentle destemming and pressing, native yeast where appropriate, relatively long macerations, and restrained French oak, with larger-format casks used for longer élevage. The wines emphasize Sangiovese’s natural acidity, savory character, and sense of place over extraction or overt oak. 

This Chianti Classico Riserva is another that is only produced in spectacular vintages. Featuring 97% Sangiovese and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is aged for 20 months in French oak tonneaux and barriques, then 10 months in French oak botti. On the palate, this is full-bodied and deeply satisfying; pure, delicious fruit wrapped in savory, leathery, earthy complexity. Hints of dried herbs and balsamic nuance add dimension. Everything is framed by medium acidity and medium-plus tannins that melt seamlessly into a mineral-driven finish.

Pairing: Prime ribeye, homemade ragu with spaghetti, grilled sausages, or creamy Pappardelle with mushrooms.