Casaloste Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 (750ml) *

Chianti Classico Riserva sits a step above the region's standard bottling, with longer aging required before release, and this 2019 from Casaloste follows that path in Tuscany. The blend leans almost entirely on Sangiovese (95 percent, rounded out with small amounts of other grapes), and it spent its maturation in French oak barrel, a choice that shapes the wine's fuller, more polished frame.

This is a rich, heady style of Riserva, generous rather than restrained. Black cherry leads, layered with baking spice, mocha, licorice, and the sweet vanilla lift of the oak, all pitched a notch brighter than you might expect. It drinks as an open, forward wine already showing signs of maturity, so there's every reason to enjoy it now while that sumptuous character is on full display.