Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2020

Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 is a 750ml Sangiovese-driven red wine from Tuscany's Chianti Classico zone, bottled at 13.5% ABV. This vintage earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, continuing a track record of critical recognition for this family-run estate founded in 1973 by Italian film producer Italo Zingarelli.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy  |  Riserva  |  Producer: Rocca delle Macìe

Production & Heritage

Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973 by Italo Zingarelli, better known as a prolific Italian film producer, who turned his passion for Tuscan land into one of Chianti Classico's most prominent estates. The Zingarelli family now manages roughly 600 hectares across six estates in Tuscany. This Riserva is built on a blend of 90% Sangiovese with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Colorino, matured in French oak barrels of 35 hectoliters for approximately two years before refining for a minimum of three months in bottle — a regimen that develops structure without overwhelming the grape's natural acidity and fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an intense burst of black pepper and grilled meat, layered with graphite and hot tar. Beneath that initial intensity, earthier tones of mushroom and wet leaves emerge alongside dark fruit.

Taste: On entry, black cherry and plum dominate, settling into a mid-palate of dark chocolate and ripe blackcurrant. The Sangiovese backbone delivers firm but well-integrated tannins, while a lively acidity keeps the wine balanced and structured through a full-bodied, woody mid-section. Sweet spice notes from the French oak aging weave through without overpowering the fruit.

Finish: Moderately long, with a distinctive bite of orange pith astringency that lifts the close. Lingering impressions of cedar, dried cherry, and subtle pepper slowly fade.

How to Drink Chianti Classico Riserva

This Riserva rewards a slight chill to around 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to open up its layered aromatics. Drinking neat is the primary recommendation for experiencing the full complexity of the oak-aged Sangiovese.

For cocktail-adjacent applications: a Sangria Toscana benefits from the wine's dark fruit intensity and spice; a classic Kalimotxo works surprisingly well given the wine's tannic grip and cherry depth; and a Mulled Wine during cooler months amplifies its existing pepper and warm spice character.

Best For

• Pairing with a Tuscan-inspired dinner of braised meats and aged cheeses
• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast or Sangiovese collector
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Chianti Classico Riserva expressions
• Cellaring for 3–5 additional years to soften tannins and deepen complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 taste like? This wine leads with concentrated black cherry and plum layered over dark chocolate, anchored by firm Sangiovese tannins and bright acidity. Earthy undertones of mushroom, graphite, and sweet oak spice add depth throughout.

How does Rocca delle Macìe compare to Ruffino Riserva Ducale? Both are widely available Chianti Classico Riservas built on Sangiovese, but Rocca delle Macìe uses French oak barrels for its two-year maturation rather than a mix of barrel types. The Rocca delle Macìe 2020 scored 91 points from Wine Enthusiast, reflecting a slightly darker, more structured profile.

Is this Riserva good for sipping neat? Yes — the two years of French oak aging and extended bottle refinement produce a wine with enough complexity and balance to stand on its own, especially after brief decanting.

Where is Rocca delle Macìe made? Rocca delle Macìe is produced in the Chianti Classico denomination in Tuscany, central Italy. The Zingarelli family operates six estates across approximately 600 hectares of Tuscan vineyard land.

What foods pair well with this Riserva? Bistecca alla Fiorentina mirrors the wine's full body and tannic structure. Pecorino Toscano aged cheese complements the earthy, savory aromatics. Wild boar ragù echoes the dark fruit and pepper notes. Roasted lamb with rosemary balances the wine's acidity. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the mid-palate cocoa tones.

What sizes does this wine come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Rocca delle Macìe Riserva worth the price? This Riserva positions in the mid-range tier for Chianti Classico Riserva wines, delivering oak-aged complexity and a 91-point Wine Enthusiast score at a price point accessible to everyday drinkers exploring Tuscan Sangiovese at the Riserva level.

Why Rocca delle Macìe Riserva?

The 2020 vintage represents one of the stronger recent expressions from this estate, earning 91 points from Wine Enthusiast for its layered dark fruit, structural tannins, and well-judged oak integration. The two-year French oak maturation in larger 35-hectoliter barrels preserves Sangiovese's varietal character while adding spice and complexity — a deliberate choice that distinguishes this wine from Riservas aged in smaller barriques. With a half-century of family stewardship behind it and 600 hectares of Tuscan vineyards feeding production, Rocca delle Macìe has the scale and consistency that few Chianti Classico estates can match at this quality level. The 90/5/5 blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Colorino adds just enough depth and color to set this apart from pure Sangiovese bottlings without compromising typicity.