Vintage: 1997

Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, and other red complementary varieties

Taste: Deep ruby-red in color, rich in extracts and tannins yet balanced, soft, and stylish, with a fine, lingering finish.

Climate Vintage: The latter part of winter and the beginining of spring were very mild for the time of the year and also very dry. This produced early budding - some 10 days earlier than average. In April the temperature suddenly dropped, causing an arrest in the growth of the buds. The summer was very hot and sunny and this weather continued for the whole of September and for the duration of the harvest which meant that at the time of picking, the grapes were exceptionally healthy and with a high sugar concentration. Overall the 1997 harvest has been somewhat less than expected in terms of quantity - but in terms of quality, this is an exceptional vintage, probably even better than the much acclaimed 1990 vintage and one of the greatest of the last fifty years.

Vinification: The grapes were de-stemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated in stainless steel tanks for 12 days, at a temperature which was kept below 30°C. During this time alcoholic fermentation also took place. By the end of the year, the wine had also completed its malolactic fermentation and was then transferred partly to traditional Slavonian oak casks of varying capacities, and partly to 225 liter French oak barrels where it continued to age for 14 months. The wine was then bottled and aged at least 10 more months before release. Alcohol: 13% vol.

History: Antinori has produced Chianti Classico, one of the most widely known wines in the world, for centuries. This particular wine was introduced in 1928 by Niccolò, Piero Antinori's father, as the first Chianti produced specifically to improve with age. Villa Antinori Riserva, which has become the bench-mark for Chianti Classico Riserva, is only produced in good vintage years. The wine's label, which had remained unchanged since 1928, was slightly restyled with the 1990 vintage.