Sangiovese is the great grape of Chianti but many producers include some French varieties such as Merlot, as is the case here with Castello di Ama's Montebuoni Chianti Classico Riserva 2018. The non-Tuscan variety plumps out the feel in the mouth and tends to make wines more immediately appealing at a younger age. This example is aged in second-fill barriques so the oak influence is subtle. It's delicious now but will get better if you can resist drinking it.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Classic dark cherries on the nose with some bramble notes. Smooth and ripe on the palate with bittersweet dark cherries, leather and spice.