Ricasoli Chianti

Ricasoli Chianti is a Sangiovese-dominant Tuscan red wine bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Barone Ricasoli—one of Italy's oldest wine estates, with documented roots stretching back to 1141—this Chianti earned a Double Gold at SommCon for the 2021 vintage, a testament to the estate's enduring quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Chianti DOCG, Tuscany, Italy  |  Blend: 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Barone Ricasoli

Production & Heritage

Barone Ricasoli operates from the historic Castello di Brolio, where Baron Bettino Ricasoli developed the original Chianti formula in the 19th century. The estate has identified nineteen distinct soil types across the Brolio vineyards and employs comprehensive terroir zonation, vinifying individual plots separately in small, gravity-fed stainless steel vats. This Chianti undergoes fermentation at controlled temperatures between 24°C and 27°C with 14 to 16 days of skin contact, extracting color and structure while preserving the bright fruit character of Sangiovese. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon components contribute mid-palate weight and aromatic complexity to the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Red cherry and plum lead the nose, followed by cedar and subtle leather. Gentle floral accents and a whisper of sweet spice emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-driven, with ripe red cherry and pomegranate giving way to a savory mid-palate of earth and dried herbs. Firm acidity provides backbone, while the Merlot component adds a supple roundness that balances the Sangiovese's natural grip.

Finish: Medium in length with a dusty tannic texture and lingering notes of cedar and citrus peel. The finish stays dry and appetizing, inviting the next sip or the next bite.

How to Drink Ricasoli Chianti

Pour at 16–18°C and allow 15 to 20 minutes of air before drinking neat; a brief decant opens up the cedar and floral layers further. This is a food-friendly red by nature, but it also works in these cocktails: a Chianti Sangria built with orange, pomegranate, and rosemary plays to its fruit-forward side; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) turns it into a casual warm-weather refresher; and a New York Sour, where it floats over a whiskey sour base, gains depth from the wine's earthy Sangiovese tannins.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners featuring pasta, pizza, or risotto
• Introducing friends to quality Tuscan Sangiovese without a steep price tag
• Hosting a comparative tasting of Italian DOCG reds
• Gifting a wine-curious colleague with a bottle carrying genuine historical pedigree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ricasoli Chianti taste like? It delivers bright red cherry and pomegranate fruit supported by earthy cedar and dried herb notes, with firm acidity and a dusty tannic finish that keeps the wine lively and food-friendly.

How does Ricasoli Chianti compare to Brunello di Montalcino? Both rely on Sangiovese as the primary grape, but Brunello di Montalcino is 100% Sangiovese and requires a minimum of five years aging before release, producing a more concentrated and age-worthy wine at a significantly higher price. Ricasoli Chianti blends Sangiovese with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for approachable, earlier-drinking fruit and a softer tannic profile.

Is Ricasoli Chianti good for beginners? Yes—its balanced acidity, moderate tannins, and bright fruit make it an accessible entry point into Tuscan reds, while the Barone Ricasoli name offers genuine heritage rather than a generic introduction to the category.

Where is Ricasoli Chianti made? It is produced by Barone Ricasoli at the Castello di Brolio estate in Tuscany's Chianti zone, one of Italy's most historic winemaking regions and the birthplace of the original Chianti blend.

What foods pair well with Ricasoli Chianti? Tomato-based pasta dishes like pappardelle al ragù highlight the wine's acidity; grilled sausages and roasted pork match its savory depth; aged Pecorino Toscano echoes its earthy, herbaceous side; margherita pizza mirrors its red-fruited brightness; and bruschetta with olive oil and garlic provides a classic Tuscan complement.

What sizes does Ricasoli Chianti come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Ricasoli Chianti worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range Chianti DOCG, but the estate's 900-year winemaking history and plot-by-plot vinification approach deliver quality and character well above what that price tier typically provides.

Why Ricasoli Chianti?

Barone Ricasoli is not simply a producer within Chianti—it is the estate where the Chianti blend was originally codified. That history translates into tangible winemaking advantages: nineteen mapped soil types at Brolio, gravity-fed vinification of individual vineyard parcels, and generations of expertise with Sangiovese on this specific terroir. The 2021 vintage's Double Gold at SommCon confirmed that this approach delivers real results at a competitive price point. For a Chianti that carries authentic Tuscan provenance and structured, food-ready character, few bottles in the category can claim comparable heritage.