Nittardi Chianto Classico Riserva 2019

Nittardi Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV organic Sangiovese-dominant red from Tuscany's Chianti Classico zone. Awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator, 3 Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso, and 93 points from both James Suckling and Falstaff, this Riserva Selezionata is produced only in outstanding vintages from a single high-altitude vineyard.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy  |  Riserva (30 months total aging)  |  Producer: Fattoria Nittardi

Production & Heritage

Fattoria Nittardi sits between the provinces of Siena and Florence in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate's Riserva Selezionata comes exclusively from Vigna Alta, a south-facing hillside vineyard at nearly 500 meters above sea level, where calcareous Alberese soils provide structure and power while Galestro schist contributes elegant minerality and freshness. The 2019 blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot was fermented in 10.5-ton stainless steel tanks, aged 24 months in 500-liter French oak barrels (20% new), then unified for six months in a single concrete vat before release. The estate is certified organic.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, intense dark red in the glass. The nose opens with ripe blueberry and dark cherry before moving into blackberry, garrigue, and exotic spices, with subtle undertones of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee from the oak aging.

Taste: The palate entry is rich and full, carrying concentrated ripe fruit flavors through a complex mid-palate framed by silky, grainy tannins. Excellent freshness lifts the wine at every stage, balancing the fruit density with a mineral backbone drawn from those high-altitude soils.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering notes of dark cherry, cocoa, and a hint of graphite. The tannin structure carries well past the final sip, leaving a refined, savory impression.

How to Drink Nittardi Riserva

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and allow 30 to 60 minutes of decanting time to let the oak integration and fruit complexity fully open. This is a wine built for the dinner table. Pair it alongside bistecca alla fiorentina, where the tannin structure cuts through the richness of the grilled beef. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle mirrors the wine's dark fruit and earthy garrigue notes. Aged pecorino toscano brings out the minerality and spice in the finish.

Best For

• Gifting a Tuscan wine collector or Italian wine enthusiast
• Anchoring a Sangiovese-focused tasting flight alongside Brunello and Vino Nobile
• Serving as the centerpiece red at a special Italian dinner
• Cellaring for medium-term aging through 2030–2035

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nittardi Riserva 2019 taste like? It delivers concentrated dark cherry, blueberry, and blackberry fruit layered with cocoa, vanilla, and exotic spice, supported by silky yet grainy tannins and bright acidity that keeps the wine balanced and fresh.

How does Nittardi Riserva compare to Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio? Both are highly regarded single-vineyard Chianti Classico Riservas released only in top vintages; however, Nittardi leans into dark fruit richness and mineral freshness from its nearly 500-meter elevation, while Il Poggio is known for a more austere, structured profile with notable earthy complexity. The 2019 Nittardi carries a 94-point Wine Spectator score, placing it among the top-rated Chianti Classico Riservas of the vintage.

Is Nittardi Riserva good for cellaring? Yes — the combination of firm tannin structure, bright acidity, and 24 months of French oak aging gives this wine a drinking window that extends comfortably to 2030–2035 under proper storage conditions.

Where is Nittardi Riserva made? Fattoria Nittardi is located in the Chianti Classico zone of Tuscany, Italy, between the provinces of Siena and Florence. The Riserva Selezionata is sourced exclusively from the estate's Vigna Alta vineyard at approximately 500 meters elevation.

What foods pair well with Nittardi Riserva? Grilled T-bone steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) matches the wine's tannic grip. Slow-braised lamb shank complements its dark fruit and spice notes. Wild boar ragù over fresh pasta echoes the earthy garrigue character. Aged pecorino toscano highlights the minerality. Grilled portobello mushrooms with rosemary work as a lighter accompaniment.

What sizes does Nittardi Riserva come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Nittardi Riserva worth the price? Positioned as a premium Chianti Classico Riserva, Nittardi competes with some of Tuscany's most decorated estate wines while carrying certified organic credentials and a 94-point Wine Spectator score — strong value within the upper tier of the appellation.

Why Nittardi Riserva?

The decision to release this Riserva Selezionata only in exceptional vintages means every bottle reflects a deliberate quality threshold rather than annual production targets. The 2019 vintage validated that approach: 94 points from Wine Spectator, 3 Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso, and 93 points from both James Suckling and Falstaff. Vigna Alta's combination of high altitude, Alberese limestone, and Galestro schist produces a Sangiovese with uncommon tension between fruit density and mineral freshness. For anyone seeking a Chianti Classico Riserva that earns its designation through site specificity, organic viticulture, and critical consensus, the 2019 Nittardi stands among the strongest expressions of the vintage.