It opens with aromas of black currant, cedar and a hint of violet while the firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, vanilla, licorice and a touch of mocha. Assertive but polished tannins provide support. Producer Information Barone Ricasoli is the largest and oldest wine estate in the Chianti Classico region and is one of the four oldest businesses in the world. Based at the famous Castello di Brolio in Gaiole, it is known for its top-quality Sangiovese-dominant wines, and has a reputation for fair pricing. The estate has around 235 hectares (580 acres) of vineyards in its grounds, which surround the Castello di Brolio, stretching across the communes of Gaiole and Castelnuovo Berardenga. The cellars are situated at the foot of the castle and combine the traditional with the new in terms of winemaking. Ricasoli's wines are vinified in small, gravity-fed steel vats, which allow vineyard lots to be kept separate. Ricasoli's flagship wine is the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, sourced from various plots across the estate. The blend combines 80 percent Sangiovese, with 10 percent each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Other important wines in the portfolio include the Coledilà Chianti Classico, a varietal Sangiovese from a single vineyard, and Casalferro, a single-vineyard Merlot. All three wines are matured in oak for 18 months. There is a range of other red wines, falling under both the Chianti Classico appellation and the IGT Toscana designation, where there is a little more freedom for blending. A rosé and two white wines made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc complete the range of dry wines, and finally, Ricasoli makes a Vin Santo and a passito wine. Documentary evidence for the Ricasoli family dates back to the 7th Century and the time of Charlemagne, and Brolio Castle has been in the family's ownership since 1141. Bettino Ricasoli, the Iron Baron, was the second prime minister of the united Italy. In the 1960s, the family sold the Castello di Brolio wine name to Seagram along with production, although they continued to manage the land. Since 1993, all aspects of the business have been back under family control and output has been much reduced in favor of quality.
