This release of 15,000 bottles is among the most pleasantly accessible wines in this portfolio from Castellare di Castellina. The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale shows soft fruit, cherry, blue flower and sweet potting soil. The wine is texturally rich but not heavy, and these native Italian grapes always have a lot of fresh acidity on offer, even in a vintage like 2020 that was characterized by hot summer weather.

The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale (a blend of 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Ciliegiolo) reveals darkly saturated fruit and medium aromatic intensity. Indeed, the wine takes a few moments to open, offering dried fruit, grilled herb, spice and white chocolate. This medium-bodied red represents a release of 12,000 bottles.

This wine offers dark but streamlined intensity with a big punch of Tuscan authenticity, thanks to this traditional blend of Sangioveto (Sangiovese) with tiny parts Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. This threesome combination of indigenous grapes shows bright acidity and a mid-weight style that is enhanced in good measure by the heat and dryness of this vintage. There are aromas of Morello cherry, dried rose or lavender flower and potting soil with hints of iron ore or crushed granite. The mouthfeel in the Castellare di Castellina 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale shows balanced freshness with hints of the tannic astringency that come with this vintage. Production is 16,966 bottles.

The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale shows extreme focus and precision with a pretty succession of dark fruit aromas followed by spice, leather and baked terracotta. This wine exhibits lots of depth and dimension with extra ripeness that comes forward as cherry confit and dried blackberry. That ripeness is well contained in this classic vintage. This is a lasting wine with a generous array of flavors and aromas, worthy of an aged T-bone steak. The blend is 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Ciliegiolo and the wine is aged in barrique for 18 months. Some 14,000 bottles were made.

The 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale represents a special selection of fruit from Castellina in Chianti (95% Sangioveto is blended with 5% Canaiolo). Within the quality ladder of the estate, this wine exhibits a big style departure from the other wines placed below it. The bouquet here is much fuller and richer with a greater composition of fruit, spice, leather and tobacco characteristics. There is a very specific note of cinnamon or crushed clove that seems linked to this wine only. This wine ages in barrique for 18 months. Some 10,000 bottles were produced.