Tregole 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG 750mL

2023 is a special vintage for this Chianti Classico Annata. It includes the grapes that usually go into the Tregole Chianti Classico Riserva and Gran Selezione. We think winemaker Sophie Conte explains it better than we can:

"Starting in early June, it was one of the most humid seasons we’ve experienced, bringing with it one of the worst outbreaks of downy mildew I’ve seen since being at Tregole. Over half of the crop was lost, forcing us to produce only a Chianti Classico Annata. It was, frankly, an emotionally challenging vintage, but the grapes that did make it to the cellar were of stunning quality—few in quantity, but very healthy and with an intriguing flavour concentration. In the end, it became a one-wine vintage, but one with deep personality and character. Whereas the 2023 Chianti Classico shows an intense and determined character, it retains the hallmark crisp and straightforward fruit of Tregole, while also carrying the fleshiness and aromatic complexity inherited from the grapes originally intended for the Riserva and Gran Selezione."

It has a lovely floral and red fruit nose and a hint of freshly popped but not yet buttered popcorn. We found fresh and dried rose aromas, white pepper and fennel seed, black cherries, Satsuma plums and graphite. It's very approachable now, but will likely age well with the typical Tregole acidity and soft tannins that are a little more present than they were in the 2022. The additional tannins may be due to the fact that Sophie only made the decision to combine all of the vineyards after the more premium grapes had already spent a small amount of time in oak.

Red meat, pizza, saucy pasta - all the Italian staples pair well here.