2015 Canonica a Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 750 ml

From the same terroir where Italian powerhouses Felsina, Castello di Bossi, and San Felice craft some of Chianti’s highest-scoring reds comes Canonica a Cerreto, an overachiever that’s an underdog in terms of price.

On our way home from our last trip to Tuscany, this was the standout Riserva on our minds. A bottle that deserves to be ranked among Tuscan heavyweights, we were blown away by its dazzling array of cherry, dark plum, and cassis, which intermingle with cedar, vanilla, and savory herbs on the midpalate before a seductive umami note heightens the intrigue. Balanced and extremely well integrated, this is just now starting to live up to its true potential after six years in the cellar.

Canonica a Cerreto winemaker Matteo Bernabei builds his wines to last, and who's got tons of expertise bolstered by his bloodline: His father is consultant Franco Bernabei, the man who put heavyweights like Selvapiana, Fontodi, and neighboring Felsina on the map.

Canonica a Cerreto’s estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga dates back as far as 1000 CE.The Riserva’s grapes—85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot—were grown on a south-facing hillside slope of clay and limestone. Here, the vines benefit from warm sun before cooling down after sunset, resulting in an excellent balance between juicy fruit and vibrant acidity. That was especially the case in 2015, which experienced near-perfect weather throughout the entire growing season, yielding rich, sumptuous Chianti Classico with great depth and intensity.

This 94-point Riserva puts it all in one bottle—and for as low as $18 per bottle on cases, Tuscan deals don’t get any better.