2018 Casa Emma Vignalparco Chianti Classico Reserva

"An extrovert but elegant Tuscan red, this shows baking spices, dark cherries and plums, cedar, dried peppers and meaty undertones. Full-bodied and nicely structured on the palate, it expertly weaves a fine line between richness, spiciness and freshness. Drink from 2021." 

"The fruit comes from a two-hectare site called Vignalparco that is unique because ducks run free between the vines, doing an excellent job of fertilizing and hopefully eating any pests. (Yes, ducks can eat grapes, but rarely off of the vines.) The resulting 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Vignalparco (with 11,000 bottles made) is a compact and solid wine with a very pretty bouquet composed of black fruit elements, spice and wild rose. There is smoke, tar and road paving at the end. There is a bright point of acidity on the close, making it a terrific candidate for (dare I suggest it?) a classic Tuscan pappardelle all'anatra, or pappardelle with fatty duck. Sorry." 

"A solid backbone of tannins provides the backdrop for this lightly chewy red. Cherry, iron, tobacco and earth flavors are knotted together with the firm structure. A dusty feel lingers. Best from 2022 through 2036." 

"Earthy and structured, this has aromas suggesting forest floor, new leather and ripe berry. The juicy, solidly built palate offers black cherry extract, licorice and coffee bean framed against assertive, rather grainy tannins. It closes on a note of rusty nail. Drink 2021–2031." 

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