2016 Canonica a Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva Tuscany 750 ml

We’re running out of superlatives for the 2016 vintage in Chianti. Vinous, for one, thinks the 98-point year rates as the greatest ever in the region, calling it “truly exceptional” and “simply extraordinary…a consistently brilliant vintage across the board.”

Unfortunately, most 2016 Chiantis are long gone from the market.

However, we nabbed an allocation of the 2016 Canonica a Cerreto Riserva, made by a rising-star winemaker and hailing from a terroir in Castelnuovo Berardenga that has a lot in common with nearby powerhouse estates like Felsina, Castell’in Villa, and Geggiano—all of whose riservas trade for double or more the price.

Canonica a Cerreto vintner Matteo Bernabei builds his wines to last, and his expertise is bolstered by his bloodline: His father is consultant Franco Bernabei, aka “Mr. Sangiovese,” the man who put heavyweights like Selvapiana, Fontodi, and Felsina on the map.

Canonica a Cerreto’s estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga dates back to 1000 CE. The grapes for this riserva—85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot—were grown on a south-facing hillside slope with warm, sunny days and chilly nights, resulting in an excellent balance between juicy fruit and vibrant acidity. 

That was especially the case in 2016, which experienced near-perfect weather throughout the entire growing season, yielding rich, sumptuous Chianti Classico. This one never fails to thrill Wine Access members, and the 93-point 2016 edition—which Vinous called “elegant and nuanced” with “lovely complexity and lift”—delivers all the splendor of that benchmark year. 

Polished and beautifully rounded, with the finely detailed tannins that mark great Sangiovese, this bottling is just starting to live up to its true potential after six years and will remain beautiful for another decade.