Tenuta Di Arceno Strada Al Sasso Chianti Classico Riserva

Tenuta Di Arceno Strada Al Sasso Chianti Classico Riserva is a single-vineyard 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico Riserva at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2021 vintage earned 95 points from Wine Spectator, while the 2019 vintage received 95 points from James Suckling and 94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — consistent critical recognition that places this among the top tier of the Chianti Classico appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy  |  Riserva  |  Producer: Tenuta di Arceno  |  Grape: 100% Sangiovese

Production & Heritage

Strada Al Sasso is sourced from the La Porta vineyard, a windswept single-vineyard site within Tenuta di Arceno's estate in the Chianti Classico zone. The estate follows a micro-cru philosophy, dividing its land into 60 distinct vineyard blocks, each lot fermented separately at a controlled 26°C. The final blend is assembled from the best 35 to 40 barrels drawn from ten different clones of Sangiovese, then aged for 12 months in second-use French oak barriques — a restraint that allows Sangiovese's varietal character to lead rather than oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cassis and ripe plum open the nose, followed by layers of dried violets, bay leaf and a subtle earthiness. Deeper in the glass, hints of milk chocolate, orange peel and fresh leather emerge.

Taste: The entry is rich and saturated with dark cherry and plum fruit, giving way to a mid-palate of sweet tobacco, nutmeg and dark-roasted coffee. The structure is firm but integrated, with fine-grained tannins carrying flavors of wet slate and forest floor toward the peak.

Finish: Long and layered, with licorice, dried plum and earthy minerality persisting well after the last sip. A thread of thyme-like herbal complexity adds freshness to the close.

How to Drink Strada Al Sasso

This Riserva is best served at 16–18°C and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes in a decanter to fully open. Drinking neat allows the vineyard's character to express itself completely. In a Negroni Sbagliato, the wine's dark fruit and tannic backbone stand up beautifully to bitter Campari and sweet vermouth. A Sangiovese Sangria built with orange slices and rosemary lets the cassis and plum notes shine in a warm-weather format. For a classic aperitivo twist, a Kalimotxo — equal parts red wine and cola served over ice — becomes unexpectedly refined with a wine of this quality and structure.

Best For

• Gifting a Tuscan wine enthusiast who values single-vineyard expressions
• Anchoring a serious Italian wine dinner alongside bistecca alla fiorentina
• Building a Chianti Classico vertical collection across vintages
• Celebrating a milestone with a critically acclaimed Riserva

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Strada Al Sasso taste like? Strada Al Sasso is dominated by concentrated dark cherry and plum fruit, supported by sweet tobacco, nutmeg and dark-roasted coffee, with an earthy, mineral-driven finish laced with licorice and dried herbs.

How does Strada Al Sasso compare to Fèlsina Rancia Riserva? Both are 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico Riservas from single-vineyard sites, but Strada Al Sasso is aged exclusively in second-use French oak barriques, which tends to yield a more fruit-forward, less overtly oaky profile. Fèlsina Rancia is a longer-established benchmark in the category, while Strada Al Sasso has gained rapid critical momentum with scores reaching 95 points from both James Suckling and Wine Spectator.

Is Strada Al Sasso good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a Riserva built for contemplative drinking, with enough tannic structure and aromatic complexity to reward slow, attentive sipping after a brief decant.

Where is Strada Al Sasso made? Strada Al Sasso is produced by Tenuta di Arceno, located within the Chianti Classico DOCG zone in Tuscany, Italy. The grapes come specifically from the La Porta vineyard, one of 60 micro-cru blocks mapped across the estate.

What foods pair well with Strada Al Sasso? Bistecca alla fiorentina is a natural match, as the wine's tannin and acidity cut through the charred, fatty richness of the steak. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle mirrors the wine's earthy depth. Aged pecorino Toscano echoes the nutty, savory undercurrents. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary complement the herbal finish. Dark chocolate desserts with espresso notes align with the coffee and licorice tones on the palate.

What sizes does Strada Al Sasso come in? Strada Al Sasso is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Strada Al Sasso worth the price? Strada Al Sasso positions as a premium-to-ultra-premium Chianti Classico Riserva, and its single-vineyard sourcing, meticulous barrel selection from ten Sangiovese clones, and consistent scores of 92–95 points from major critics provide strong justification at its price tier.

Why Strada Al Sasso?

What separates this Riserva from the broader Chianti Classico field is the rigor of its selection: only the best 35 to 40 barrels from ten distinct Sangiovese clones on the La Porta vineyard make the final blend. The micro-cru approach — fermenting each of the 60 vineyard blocks independently — gives the winemaking team surgical precision in constructing the wine. Aging in second-use French oak barriques preserves the Sangiovese's inherent vibrancy rather than masking it with new wood. With 95-point scores from both James Suckling and Wine Spectator across recent vintages, Strada Al Sasso has established itself as one of the most consistently acclaimed Riservas in the Chianti Classico appellation.