Tenuta Arceno Chianti Classico 2018
While our Chianti Classico is unmistakably Tuscan in origin, it offers a level of depth, power, and concentration that is rare for its classification. The fruit—mostly Sangiovese—comes from some of the coolest blocks at our estate, which accounts for the wine’s vibrant acidity. The dominant flavours include plums, earth, cherries, liquorice, and cedar.
The 2018 vintage was beautiful and will be well-remembered. Overall, the growing season was consistent and produced very balanced wines. With a cool, rainy February and March, bud break arrived later in the season and gave way to perfect conditions in June and July. We held our breath through early August as hailstorms approached the estate – sometimes less than 1km away – until welcome rain arrived later in the month to rehydrate and cool the vines. With warm days and cool nights through the rest of August, we had optimal conditions for harvest.
This vintage is reminiscent of the powerful fruit of 2015 with the racy structure of 2013. The nose exudes ripe fruit and floral notes of violets and roses, with undertones of cypress and cedar. The palate is lush and full, chewy and laden with fruit. Supple tannins and moderate acidity allow the fruit flavours to shine through, revealing layers of red fruit – cherry and plum – with notes of honeysuckle. A long finish gives way to herbal and spice notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and lingering black tea.
