2018 Uggiano Roccialta Chianti Classico Riserva 750 ml

The Chianti Classicos that excite us most achieve a seemingly simple but actually difficult task: expressing the lean, brilliant, red-fruit persistence and tenacity of the Sangiovese grape with total purity.

Achieving that places intense demands on the winemaker and the vineyard, meaning truly authentic Chianti Classico doesn’t usually come cheap. That makes the 2018 Uggiano Roccialta Riserva one of the best deals in the category.

This gorgeous release is the product of conscientious organic farming and use of only indigenous varieties. Displaying all its vividness right now while boasting the bones to improve for another decade, it was praised by Vinous as “super-expressive” and showing “tons of character.”

Many producers try to mask the authentic, detailed expression of pure Sangiovese because, when making wines that will come at low price points, they often don’t have healthy, perfectly ripe grapes. Faced with that handicap, they’ll round out or soften the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which is permitted under the DOCG rules.

But Uggiano is a holdout. Its composition—90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo—makes this truly indigenous to its roots, and the meticulously farmed grapes give this wine superb purity and focused fruit intensity. 

Uggiano was founded in the 1970s in a Montespertoli castle and originally headed by French-trained winemaker Giuseppe Losapio. In 2018, cool temperatures and rain spells led to gradual ripening and a late harvest. The result was a vintage that Chianti Classico purists will be celebrating for years to come. It’s perfect for pairing with a plate of bucatini all'Amatriciana and also a great addition to your cellar.