(February 2026) … We move from the Annata to the Riserva – a step up at the Anteprima Toscana 2026 (or so they claim).
This year I will break the wines down a little more, compartmentalizing them so they are easier to find on the website. Starting with the vintage 2024 Annata (which was published several days ago) … With the Riserva wines we are talking about a longer aging in oak – and it shows as my “personal aside” below explains.
In this range, I tasted all the 2023 Riservas. So I have a pretty good idea how the wineries handled the fruit and the oak.
My “Personal Aside” is a note taken to encompass the whole of what I have tasted, and was written after tasting all the wines in a category and on the spot to get my unvarnished reaction.
Notes are on wines that are rated BETTER and above; even the barrel samples (they are unfinished wines, so I have unfinished notes).
Personal Aside: Riserva continues to be a tough make / sell – people love that “reserve” means something in Italy; but sometimes the thing that makes it special can be a distraction or a detraction – in this case the wood gets in the way of the vintage. The wines below proved that they knew how to create a balancing-marriage between oak and fruit.
BETTER …
Capraia 2023 Capraia – Chianti Classico Riserva
Maybe a little high-toned on the fruit side, but there is a little freshness that is added with that note; plus some herbal and slightly spicy notes.
Mons Driadalis 2023 Mons Driadalis – Chianti Classico Riserva
Nice acidity, strawberry and fairly light and easy on the wood – well-balanced, effective with a long finish. Hints of balsamic on the finish. This has potential to be even better with a little time.
Tenuta di Arceno 2023 Tenuta di Arceno – Chianti Classico Riserva
Nice use of the oak here as a backdrop and not the main event. Juicy core, black cherry, rhubarb and strawberry sprinkled with balsamic and herbal character. A nice wine full of fruit.
GOOD-PLUS … 
Monte Bernardi 2023 Monte Bernardi – Chianti Classico Riserva
Tolaini 2023 Vallenuova – Chianti Classico Riserva
GOOD …
Antinori 2023 Villa Antinori – Chianti Classico Riserva
Cigliano di Sopra 2023 Vigneto Branca – Chianti Classico Riserva
Famiglia Zingarelli 2023 Tenuta Le Macìe, Sergioveto – Chianti Classico Riserva
Guidi 1929 2023 Guidi – Chianti Classico Riserva
Il Poggiolino 2023 La Riserva – Chianti Classico Riserva
Ricasoli 2023 Brolio – Chianti Classico Riserva
Riecine 2023 Riecine – Chianti Classico Riserva
Torcilacqua 2023 Torcilacqua – Chianti Classico Riserva
Next up: Riserva 2023 – plus older vintages 2016-2022