Chianti Classico Riserva (1988)

About this wine

This 1988 Chianti Classico Riserva from Castell’in Villa is all about classic Sangiovese character, less shiny fruit and more Tuscan soul. The nose leans into dried cherry and plum, then opens up to porcini, dried rose, and a faint cedar like note that feels very old world. On the palate it stays medium bodied but persistent, with sour cherry at the core and a savory, earthy glide that keeps pulling you back. The tannins are fine and settled, more like a gentle grip than a wall, and the finish lingers with tobacco and baking spice. Castell’in Villa has long been known for a traditional, no nonsense style in Chianti Classico, and older vintages like 1988 are where that patience really pays off.

About the grape

Sangiovese is the sole grape in Castell in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva, a variety with roots in central Italy that has been the backbone of Chianti for centuries and is prized for its bright acidity and firm tannins. At Castell in Villa the Riserva is made only from the best Sangiovese parcels, grown at about 250 to 320 meters elevation on north west and south east exposures, where vines are trained and managed to concentrate fruit. For this bottling the estate follows traditional Chianti Classico practice, fermenting with indigenous yeasts and aging the wine for several years in large Slavonian oak casks, a regimen that showcases Sangiovese s structure and ability to age.

Quick facts

• 🏺 The 1988 Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva is estate-bottled and has appeared in fine-wine auctions, marking it as a collectible bottle rather than a routine release.
• 👑 Castell'in Villa was transformed under Princess Coralia (who bought the estate in 1968) and she famously held wines back until they were mature, so a 1988 Riserva was likely released only when the cellarmaster felt it was ready.
• 🌟 The label ‘Riserva’ at Castell'in Villa often signals an exceptional vintage; the 1988 Riserva therefore represents one of the estate’s top year selections rather than a regular bottling.
• 🍂 Castell'in Villa frequently bottles Riserva wines unfiltered and ages them far longer than DOCG minimums, so a 1988 bottle will show developed notes like dried cherry, tobacco and forest-floor that younger Chiantis don’t have.
• 🏰 The estate sits in a medieval village tied to Siena since 1176 and uses old local Sangiovese cuttings for its best vineyards, so the 1988 Riserva carries a deep sense of place from vines with historic lineage.

Palate profile

Producer

Castell'in Villa is a historic estate located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany, Italy. The estate's origins trace back to the 13th century when it functioned as a medieval hamlet and military outpost. In 1968, Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa and her husband Riccardo acquired the property, transforming it into a renowned winery. The estate spans approximately 298 hectares, with 54 hectares dedicated to vineyards and 32 hectares to olive groves. Princess Coralia is celebrated for her commitment to traditional winemaking methods, producing age-worthy wines that exemplify the elegance and longevity of Sangiovese.