Poggio Bonelli 2022 Chianti Classico

Poggio Bonelli is one of the oldest estates in Castelnuovo Berardenga, with roots stretching back to the Renaissance, when it was owned by prominent Tuscan families including the Spennati, Piccolomini, and Landucci.  The stewardship of Poggio Bonelli is a fascinating blend of Sienese history and institutional continuity. Since 1965, the estate has been owned by MPS Tenimenti, the agricultural subsidiary of the historic Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. This transition occurred after the death of the last private owner, Count Guido Chigi Saracini, a renowned patron of music and the arts, who bequeathed the estate to the bank. To maintain the high standards associated with the estate’s long history, the bank has entrusted the viticulture and enology to a highly respected team. The wines are crafted under the long-standing guidance of world-renowned consulting winemaker Carlo Ferrini, whose influence is synonymous with the modern evolution of high-quality Tuscan viticulture. He works in tandem with oenologist Leonardo Pini to ensure the wines retain their characteristic precision and sense of place. Tasting Notes The 2022 Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico captures everything people love about the southernmost part of Chianti Classico—ripe fruit, warm Tuscan character, and a touch more richness than the central zones. The estate’s hillside vineyards in Castelnuovo Berardenga give the wine its signature depth and sun‑kissed style. The blend is classic—mostly Sangiovese with a small lift of Merlot and Canaiolo—and it’s aged in gently used French oak so the fruit stays front and center.  In the glass, it bursts with sour cherry, ripe plum, wild berries, and a hint of leather and dried herbs, all wrapped in a subtle spice note from the oak. The palate is full, smooth, and flavorful, with polished tannins that give shape without getting in the way. The finish is bright, savory, and refreshing, making it as easy to enjoy on its own as it is with pasta, roasted meats, or pizza.  Balanced and expressive now, it also has the structure to develop beautifully through 2031.