Bonacchi Chianti Riserva 2016

No love at first sight. But eventually I liked it, even if I’m not excited.

Needs lots of airing. It was way too oaky in the beginning, but after a while the chianti character started to appear behind the smoky barrels with its tart cherry aromas and slightly austere texture. Almost pinot noir-like, airy, but turns into very tannic on the finish. A bit simple, the fruit cannot really match the oak and structure, but if you give it hours, it becomes enjoyable. Probably better to age for a few more years.

Rating: OKish, 84 points.
Price: around 12€ or £11.
Stockists: try wine-searcher.com.
Tasted: April, 2022.
Source: my Luxembourg friend bought it for me.
Drinking window: 2024-2026.