Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva 2021
- 93
- $80
- Drink by: 2024-2036
Share
The local wineries are known for including a dollop (around 5%) of Merlot with their Sangiovese here in Chianti, and they have done so here. The grapes are sourced from five different sub-regions with plantings dating back to 1999. The maturation is for around two years and divided between thirty hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels and fifty hectolitre French oak barrels, half in each. Red/ochre in hue, this is all red fruits and warm earth with touches of red apples, bergamot, spices and a hint of tomato bush. There is good focus, decent length and sleek tannins here in a wine for enjoying over the next ten to twelve years and matching it with a rich pasta dish would be ideal.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
