The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia opens to a deep garnet color, ripe cherry flavors and nicely etched oak tones with lingering smoke and spice. This blend of 90% Sangiovese with other complementary grapes pulls back in terms of mouthfeel with medium-rich texture and fresh acidity. The wine proves versatile and food-friendly. Some 40,000 bottles were made.

The 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia (90% Sangiovese with other red grapes aged in botti for 12 months), is a plump and rich red wine with lots of primary fruit intensity. This warm-vintage expression delivers thick layers of black cherry, dried blackberry, spice and cured tobacco. The tannins are soft and yielding. The ripeness is almost too much of a good thing. The wine reveals a very accessible and immediate personality. Some 60,000 bottles were made.

The 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia is 90% Sangiovese with smaller percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino aged in oak for one year. You can taste that 10% presence of the two other grapes with pronounced intensity in this vintage. My impression is that some of the natural brightness of the protagonist Sangiovese has faded to a lesser role in this vintage. The mouthfeel is soft and round, however, with a surprising level of succulence and texture overall.

The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia is a soft and more elaborate wine with dark cherry nuances followed by spice, leather and pressed violets. That floral element adds a touch of elegant grace. The wines reveals a darkly saturated ruby color and medium rich concentration. The mouthful shows some sweet cherry, but there is also a lot of zesty spice and fresh acidity that comes directly from the Sangiovese. Some 10% of the wine is Colorino and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cecchi has created an impressive wine in this hot vintage. The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia opens to an inky dark color and shows a saturated garnet-black color. The bouquet is concentrated and thick. It is deeply endowed with black fruit nuances with spice, tar and dark tobacco. This is a successful rendition with a bold and opulent personality.