A beam of acidity cuts through this scintillating red, lending energy and driving its cherry, strawberry, mineral and spice flavors. Both ripe and supple, this firms up while playing out on the long and lively finish. All of the elements add up to great potential in 5–7 years. Best from 2027 through 2047. 916 cases made, 500 cases imported.
96 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Oct 2024)
This has lots of energy with a crunchy and vivid sense to it. Sour cherry, orange peel and cedar undertones. It’s medium-bodied, sleek and racy. Super vivid. Drinkable now, but better in a year or two when it comes together. Try from 2026.
96 points, James Suckling (Apr 2024)
The last of Ricasoli's vineyards to be picked, Ceniprimo is located on an ancient fluvial terrace of sand and silt. At 300 metres above sea level, it faces west to southwest. As with all three of Ricasoli’s cru bottlings, this is fermented with selected yeasts indigenous to the Brolio estate, and ages in 500-litre tonneaux of which 30% are new. Medicinal herbs and vanilla weave through dark red cherry. The ripe, dense, fleshy fruit is coated with ample dusty tannins, while zesty, citrussy acidity gives a refreshing, countering lift. It leaves behind resounding suggestions of leather, chinotto and earthy forest roots, and deserves cellaring.
95 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Feb 2024)
The Barone Ricasoli 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole CeniPrimo show softly textured fruit with lots of sweet cherry and raspberry up front. Grapes for this wine come from a vineyard planted in a silty riverbed. As a result of these warm growing conditions, the CeniPrimo usually shows more pulpy fruit, and in the case of this vintage, you also get a high 15% alcohol content.
94 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jul 2024)