Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 2013 | “I loved it” Antonio Galloni

Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 2013 displays a dark ruby core fading ruby-orange at the rim.  While the wine opens with a beautiful balance of ripe and savory elements that show fantastic integration. Ripe red cherry with dried cranberry, dark plum, tobacco, and black tea spice.  Yet there is a dusty red earth component as well as licorice, leather, and an array of dried herbs and flowers. No one thing dominates this wine, rather there is an elegance to the balance that few wines twice its price achieves.

More great Red Wine Gems under $35

94AG | The Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 2013 is one of the finest wines I have tasted from Tenuta di Capraia.  Deep and pliant on the palate, with gorgeous supporting structure, the 2013 is wonderfully complete. Black cherry, plum, and lavender are some of the many nuances that develop. Above all else, though, the 2013 is impeccably balanced and pedigreed to the core. I loved it.

Buy a case and “break out the prosciutto”

Following Galloni’s glowing 94-point review, Wine Spectator added to the critical furor, hailing the 2013’s “earthy depth,” and awarding it 93 points. We’re thrilled to have secured 85 cases, straight from the heart of Chianti Classico.  Notably, these have developed to perfection over the past five years. At this price, there’s really only two things to do: hit “buy” on a case and break out the prosciutto.

So, the little village of Castellina in Chianti—yes, the “in” is part of the official name—is home to just 2,800 people. Here, about 22 miles south of Florence, where the Capraia estate sits on 100 acres of rolling green hills, Chianti is a way of life. Sangiovese matures to perfection in clay-based, marly soils.  As a result, yielding vibrant, structured wines that have been hailed for their consistency vintage after vintage.

Tenuta di Capraia

Since 2008, Tenuta di Capraia has released 10 Chianti bottlings rated 90 points or more by Antonio Galloni. The highest scoring wine on that list is today’s 94-point Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva2013..  Most of all Galloni calls this  “one of the finest wines I have tasted from Tenuta di Capraia.  First aged for 15 months in traditional oak Chianti barrels.  Then followed by six months in steel tanks before bottling.  Hence, the 2013 Riserva has only just hit its stride and will continue to drink beautifully for another 10+ years.