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BARONE RICASOLI

BROLIO, CHIANTI CLASSICO

Our notes:

Barone Ricasoli is one of Chianti’s most important producers; certainly the most important historically, with a remarkable story that goes back well beyond the 12th century. The most historic of wine castles, Castello di Brolio and its remarkable 250 hectare Chianti Classico vineyard, has been the home to the Ricasoli family since 1141. The most famous Barone, the “Iron Baron” Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880), was not only Italian prime minister and one of the key figures in the unification of Italy, but also was the first to set down the grape varieties that should exclusively be utilized to make quality Chianti: predominantly Sangiovese with some Canaiolo and perhaps a little Malvasia for the early drinking wines. Today Sangiovese still dominates the Estate’s reds.

Of course it is the recent history that interests us here. The latest chapter of the Ricasoli narrative really begins in 1993 when, after several decades of decline, the 31st Barone (also Bettino Ricasoli, great-grandson of the Bettino mentioned above) and his son Francesco Ricasoli, enlisted the help of renowned Tuscan oenologist Carlo Ferrini and began a major revamp of the winery and vineyards of the estate. In short, the winery was totally restored and modernised while some 90% of the vineyards were replanted after an in-depth zoning study and a review of the clonal material in each site was undertaken in collaboration with Florence University and the Experimental Viticultural Institute at Arezzo. Sadly Bettino Ricasoli passed away in May 2009 but Francesco (now the 32nd Barone) and Carlo Ferrini are continuing the good work. Today the wines are not only amongst the very finest in Tuscany (at least one wine in the range has received Tre Bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso guide every year since 1999) but they deliver remarkable value.

Barone Ricasoli

Barone Ricasoli Campo Ceni Rosso Toscano 2008
Screwcap. This is labelled IGT even though, technically speaking, it could be bottled as Chianti. The aim here is to make something a bit more modern and bright and to be able to bottle it under... read more
Product Code: 8183-750
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2008 (375ml)
Although there is a significant quantity of this wine produced each year, it is sourced 100% from the famous Castello di Brolio estate vineyards. Barone Ricasoli is the largest land holders in the... read more
Product Code: 8573-375
Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2006 (375ml)
Rocca Guicciarda was one of the Baroni Ricasoli's most important historical estates. Today, it is the name of the Chianti Classico Riserva. What we love about this wine is that it is so classic... read more
Product Code: 8182-375
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2009
The 2009 Chianti Classico Brolio flows with expressive aromatics and layers of gorgeous radiant fruit all of which are woven in a silky, elegant fabric. Raspberries, smoke and tar linger on the... read more
Product Code: 9542-750
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2008
Barone Ricasoli is the largest land holders in the Chianti Classico region and this enables them to produce such superb quality at very fair prices. This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot... read more
Product Code: 8573-750
Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
The 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda is one of the darker wines among these new releases from Brolio. Black cherries, menthol, tar and minerals emerge from this dense, masculine... read more
Product Code: 9543-750
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2007
Castello di Brolio is the grand vin produced at Ricasoli. It is a regular Tre Bicchieri winner and the last release was ranked number five in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of 2009. Castello di... read more
Product Code: 8576-750
Barone Ricasoli Casalferro Rosso Toscano 2001
The 2001 Casalferro was awarded 3 Glasses in Italy's prestigious Gambero Rosso.
Casalferro is Ricasoli's super Tuscan and one of the more accessibly priced (and hard to find) examples of this... read more
Product Code: 8575-750