Collezione di Paolo Chianti Riserva 2019

The Masi family estate sits high in the rolling hills above the Tuscan town of Rufina. This small Chianti sub-region is famous for producing some of the area’s finest wines, thanks to the height of the vineyards and the combination of hot days (which ripen the grapes) and cool nights (which lock in flavor).

For over two decades, Paolo Masi (below) has been earning heaps of praise for making his family’s wines better and better. Robert Parker says that “Paolo Masi has made an excellent impression with the estate wines of his family property.” Italy’s top wine guide, Gambero Rosso, says his wines offer “irreproachably clean fruit and abundant personality.” And here’s delicious proof...

Collezione di Paolo Chianti Riserva was crafted from hand-selected grapes, and Paolo insisted on using only the finest, top-grade oak barrels to age the wine (for a luxurious 14 months). Further bottle aging—for a minimum of 10 months—means it’s ready to drink on release, but will develop nicely if cellared for a few years.

The 2019 vintage arrives with 91 points from critic James Suckling. He wrote: “A hint of mineral to the dark earth funk, pu’er tea, dried licorice and spiced dark berries. Quite composed and juicy on the palate, showing some tart berries and firm, polished tannins. Spicy and earthy in the finish. Pretty understated and poised.”

A longtime bestseller, Collezione di Paolo Riserva is sure to go fast. Hurry for your share.