Expect dark cherry, dried red fruit, leather, tobacco, dried herb, and refined oak with full body, structured tannins, and bright acidity. The 2019 Tuscan vintage was excellent.
- Varietal
- Sangiovese (100%)
- Region
- Italy / Tuscany / Chianti Classico
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry red, single-vineyard, structured, age-worthy, top-tier Chianti
The producer
Barone Ricasoli at Castello di Brolio is widely regarded as the oldest continuously operating winery in Italy, with origins traced to the 12th century. Bettino Ricasoli, the second Prime Minister of unified Italy, formulated the original Chianti recipe in 1872 at this estate. Gran Selezione is the highest tier of Chianti Classico (introduced in 2014), requiring estate-grown fruit and extended aging. CeniPrimo is one of the estate's flagship Gran Selezione bottlings.
What critics say
Ricasoli's Gran Selezione bottlings, including CeniPrimo, consistently receive scores in the mid- to high-90s and are regarded as benchmark expressions of the appellation's top tier.
Pairing
Bistecca alla Fiorentina, lamb shoulder with rosemary, aged Pecorino