Casanuova Di Nittardi, 'Vigna Doghessa Chianti Classico 2018

94 points Falstaff
"Intense, pronounced ruby hue. Compelling nose with lots of dark berry tones, and an abundance of blackberry nuances, as well as a dash of black truffle and cinnamon. Succulent and saline on the palate, distinctive and well-defined fruit, finely woven tannins that exert tension on the finish. Long tapering reverberations!"

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"This vintage shows a seal for certified organic fruit. The Nittardi 2018 Chianti Classico Casanuova di Nittardi Vigna Doghessa opens to a medium dark color and shows aromas of dried cherry, blue flower and potting soil. The wine's general taste profile is very faithful to Sangiovese, and you also get a good sense of the vintage with some warm-weather overtones of blackberry confit and soft plum. The tannins are integrated and open-knit. Last time I tasted this wine, my sample was not perfect. But this time around, the wine is singing and soaring."

Jancis Robinson
"Full bottle 1,028 g. From the single vineyard Vigna Doghessa, in the commune of Castellina in Chianti (Siena) on a south-facing hill at 450 metres (1,500 ft), with a soil full of schist stones. Certified organic. After the extremely hot 2017 vintage, 2018 was more 'normal': a cold winter with snow for a few days, a rainy spring followed by a mild summer. The weather from the middle of August until the harvest was 'very nice without rain and with important diurnal temperature variations'. Harvest of Doghessa was 17–18 September. The label for the 2018 vintage was entrusted to the artist Johannes Heisig. Leon Femfert explains: 'The two paintings that the German artist dedicated to our Chianti Classico are a hymn to earth and the fruits that bring joy and seduce us. While the wrapping paper is his personal vision of our Vigna Doghessa, on the label he painted a Bacchus that offers a glass of wine to Sibyl, muse of all artists.' Aged 14 months in 500-litre French oak (10% new), then four months in concrete before bottling in July 2020. TA 5.8 g/l, pH 3.42.
Healthy mid crimson. First impression is purity and freshness: gently peppery/spiced black and dark-red fruit, with an earthy/stony overlay, almost dusty. On the day after opening, it seems even more scented. Terrific freshness here, lots of life and energy, the tannins are extremely fine and moreish, just gently chewy. Elegant even in youth. So fresh and refreshing but with a serious core of fruit. You could enjoy this now with food but there's no hurry and it is sure to gain in complexity, when the more savoury side of Sangiovese emerges. Very little sign of the oak because it is so fully integrated. A lighter style but with length. 17/20 points. (JH)"