The key word here is balance. The organic Poggerino 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla (with 10,400 bottles made) shows classic lines with fresh primary fruit, medium-rich concentration and lots of harmonious fruit versus spice. The results are vibrant and bright, and you definitely taste that distinctive freshness that is a hallmark of Radda in Chianti.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla is slightly more subdued compared to the 2019 vintage that I tasted at the same time. The wine reveals that same impeccable balance, however, with added complexity, spice and dried fruit that comes with an extra year of aging. It finishes in large oak casks for 24 months. This is a production of 10,400 bottles.

A nice bottle for a spring lamb on the rotisserie, the Poggerino 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla reflects some of the heat and softness of the vintage with ripe fruit, black cherry and plum. This is a round and shapely wine that offers extra dimension and grit thanks to mineral notes, smoke and grilled herb that appear at the back. This is a nice taste of Radda in Chianti.

I'm not sure how they did it, but the folks at Fattoria Poggerino have successfully harnessed each drop of sunshine in the cloudy 2014 vintage. This is not an easy feat given the higher altitudes and longer ripening cycle found in the Radda in Chianti subzone. The 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla shows lots of fruit intensity with dark cherry and plum at its core. This is a mid-weight effort with a lively and bright personality. The wine should flesh out further with more cellaring.

I am happily surprised by the 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla. The quality of the vintage comes through thanks to the wine's bright acidity and graceful balance. It opens to dark color saturation with pretty layering and good density. There is a note of sweetness on the finish that is reinforced by flavors of ripe cherry, spice and toasted almond. This is an honest and impactful Chianti Classico Riserva.