Il Muro Chianti Riserva DOCG

Il Muro Chianti Riserva DOCG is made by Fattoria Il Muro, a property the Pancaro family has worked for roughly 200 years in the hills above the Castro stream valley. The vineyards sit on galestro-rich soils near the Alpe di Poti, where strong diurnal temperature swings preserve acidity and concentrate flavor in the Sangiovese grapes. Stefano di Blasi, the consulting winemaker who previously shaped vintages of Antinori's Solaia and Tignanello, oversees the winemaking here. The wine is aged in large oak barrels, which contribute structure without overwhelming the varietal character. The Pancaro family has farmed this land for two centuries, and the estate's vineyards benefit from a microclimate created by elevation and proximity to the Alpe di Poti. Galestro, the region's signature schisty limestone, underpins the soils and lends a mineral backbone to the Sangiovese. The farm practices environmentally conscious viticulture, made possible by the natural health of the grapes in this climate. Di Blasi's involvement brings technical precision to a traditional estate, bridging generational knowledge with modern fine-wine rigor. The wine shows ripe mulberry, roasted coffee bean, and dark chocolate from the large-barrel aging program. The palate is velvety and well-balanced, with the structure expected of a Riserva and a concentrated finish marked by Sangiovese's characteristic tang. It pairs well with bistecca alla fiorentina, aged pecorino, wild boar ragù, or grilled portobello mushrooms. Open it an hour before dinner or decant if drinking young. Available for pickup at Off Premise Chicago, 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, with local Chicago delivery and nationwide shipping.