Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2020

Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 is a Sangiovese-dominant red wine from Castello di Monsanto in a 750ml bottle at 14% ABV. This vintage earned 94 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast, along with 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 93+ from Antonio Galloni's Vinous — a sweep of critical acclaim that underscores its place among the top Chianti Classico Riservas of the vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Barberino Val d'Elsa, Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany  |  Riserva  |  Producer: Castello di Monsanto

Production & Heritage

Castello di Monsanto, located in Barberino Val d'Elsa in the northern reaches of the Chianti Classico denomination, has been a quiet pioneer in the region. Founder Fabrizio Bianchi began eliminating the white grape varieties Malvasia and Trebbiano from his Chianti Classico blend as early as 1968, choosing to work exclusively with the traditional red varieties — a move that predated the broader shift in the appellation by decades. The 2020 Riserva is composed of 90% Sangiovese with 10% Canaiolo and Colorino, hand-picked at optimal ripeness. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by 18 months of aging in French oak barriques and an additional three months of bottle rest before release. Notably, Castello di Monsanto produces more of its Riserva bottling each year than its base Chianti Classico — the latter of which is not even exported to the United States.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe Bing cherry and blood orange, then shifts into earthier territory with potting soil, graphite, and peat moss. Wild herbs — especially sage — rise alongside fresh lavender and a quiet whisper of vanilla and cedar from the French oak aging.

Taste: Juicy and fresh on entry, the palate fills with concentrated black cherry and blackberry fruit shaded by eucalyptus and cumin. At mid-palate the wine reveals medium-to-full body with balanced richness and a weightless, rounded texture. Sweet tannins frame layers of chocolate, vanilla, and rocky mineral tones as it develops.

Finish: Long and lingering, with intertwined notes of pure black tea, savory herbs, and graphite. The finish carries a persistent minerality alongside ripe fruit, resolving with notable freshness rather than heaviness.

How to Drink Monsanto Riserva

This wine rewards patient sipping at cellar temperature (60–65°F), ideally after 30 minutes in a decanter to let the tightly wound structure open up. It works beautifully neat in a large-bowled Burgundy or Chianti glass. For cocktail-adjacent applications: try it in a classic Sangria Roja, where its dark fruit and herbal character anchor the punch; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the tannic backbone holds its own against sweetness; or a chilled Wine Spritzer on a warm afternoon, where the acidity and cherry fruit keep the drink lively.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast who appreciates traditional Tuscan winemaking
• Sunday supper with family-style Italian dishes like braised short ribs or pappardelle al ragù
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Chianti Classico from benchmark producers
• Hosting a comparative Sangiovese tasting alongside other top-tier Tuscan Riservas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Monsanto Riserva taste like? It delivers concentrated black cherry and blackberry fruit layered with graphite, eucalyptus, sage, and chocolate, supported by sweet tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. The overall impression is juicy and fresh yet structured enough for aging.

How does Monsanto Riserva compare to Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva? Both are benchmark Chianti Classico Riservas from historic estates, but Monsanto leans toward a more savory, herbal, and mineral-forward profile with its inclusion of Canaiolo and Colorino, while Fèlsina's Riserva is often 100% Sangiovese with a rounder, more fruit-driven character. The 2020 Monsanto scored 94 from Jeb Dunnuck, placing it in a similar critical tier to recent Fèlsina vintages.

Is Monsanto Riserva good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balanced acidity, layered complexity, and long finish make it an ideal wine for contemplative drinking alongside a meal or on its own, especially after a brief decant.

Where is Monsanto Riserva made? It is produced at Castello di Monsanto in Barberino Val d'Elsa, within the province of Florence in the north-central part of the Chianti Classico DOCG in Tuscany, Italy.

What foods pair well with Monsanto Riserva? Bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannic structure and cherry fruit; wild boar ragù mirrors its earthy, herbal character; aged Pecorino Toscano echoes the savory finish; roasted lamb with rosemary complements its sage and lavender aromatics; and mushroom risotto plays well with the graphite and mineral notes.

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

Is Monsanto Riserva worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium Chianti Classico Riserva, and the combination of 94-point critical scores, 18 months of barrique aging, and a pedigree stretching back to one of the appellation's pioneering estates represents strong value within the Riserva category.

Why Monsanto Riserva?

Castello di Monsanto holds a singular place in Chianti Classico history — Fabrizio Bianchi's decision to drop white grape varieties from the blend in 1968 and his creation of Il Poggio, the denomination's first single-vineyard Riserva, established the estate as a standard-bearer for the region. The 2020 Riserva carries that legacy forward with a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino — traditional red varieties only — aged in French barriques for a year and a half. Earning 94 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast, this vintage demonstrates the kind of concentrated, mineral-laced Sangiovese that rewards both immediate enjoyment and patient cellaring. For anyone seeking a Chianti Classico Riserva rooted in history and validated by modern critical consensus, this is a serious contender.