Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 1988

95/100 PP

"The 1988 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneto Rancia is a classic wine from a historic vintage. Even at 24 years of age, the 1988 remains dark, powerful and intense from start to finish. Firm tannins frame layers of sumptuous fruit in this beautifully balanced, harmonious wine. The 1988 impresses for so many things, but the wine´s sheer depth is simply unbelievable. It is pretty clear the 1988 is the most successful wine of the 1980s. A wet spring led to an irregular flowering and naturally low yields. The summer was very dry, with a perfect September and October that resulted in one of the greatest Rancias of the 1980s."
(Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com)

"The Rancia vineyard takes its name from the historic Rancia farmhouse, once a Benedictine monastery. Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga at elevations ranging between 400 and 420 metres it has a fine southwest-facing exposure. The more recent plantings utilize genetic material from massal selections gathered from the old Rancia vineyard. The soil is composed of limestone-derived alberese classic to the Castelnuovo Berardenga area and of galestro marl in some areas. First vintage was 1983."
(Felsina)