Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2022

Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is pure Sangiovese from one of the oldest family estates in the zone, aged eighteen months split between cement and oak to preserve freshness and keep the barrel influence in check. That choice of vessel is deliberate: brothers Tommaso and Federico Marrocchesi Marzi, fifth-generation stewards of the estate, make a clear statement in a region where blending other varietals is common. The 2022 vintage in Tuscany was warm and dry, which gave the grapes concentration without losing the bright acidity that makes Chianti Classico compelling, and this bottle shows exactly what Sangiovese from this part of Lincoln Park's most-loved Italian wine regions can do when the farming is clean and the élevage is restrained. Bibbiano has been certified organic since 2011, farming hillside vineyards in the heart of Chianti Classico with a focus on soil health and minimal intervention. The Marrocchesi Marzi family has held the estate for five generations, and their approach to Sangiovese is traditionalist in the best sense: no international varietals, no heavy oak, no shortcuts. The 2022 Riserva sees its time in a combination of cement tanks and older oak barrels, which allows the fruit and the structure to develop without the wine taking on too much wood character. The vineyards sit on the galestro and alberese soils typical of the zone, which contribute the savory, almost mineral quality that runs through the wine and keeps it from feeling one-dimensional. The color is a deep, clear ruby, and the nose delivers classic Chianti markers: sour cherry, dried cranberry, licorice, and earthy undertones that ground the fruit. On the palate the wine has the firm structure you expect from Sangiovese, with bright acidity and tannins that still have some grip. There's a savory thread that keeps pulling you back, and the finish lingers without heaviness. It's structured and serious but still very much alive. Pair it with grilled lamb chops, aged Parmigiano, or a slow-cooked ragu over pappardelle, or open it now and let it breathe for an hour before a weeknight dinner where you want something with presence but not bombast. Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.