95pts Wine Advocate
The Barone Ricasoli 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio CeniPrimo opens to a medium-dark saturated appearance and a slightly more concentrated feel that translates into aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, spice and sweet earth. This wine carries a little more fruit weight and textural richness thanks to lower-elevation vineyards and silty riverbed soils. However, this wine also offers a spot of vibrant freshness on the close, and that makes a big difference in a warm vintage like this. It remains meticulously balanced throughout. Production is 11,000 bottles. Drink Date: 2024 – 2040. Reviewed by: Monica Larner

These are exciting years at Castello di Brolio and the Barone Ricasoli estate headed by the charming Francesco Ricasoli. There is an exciting new addition to the portfolio, the 2020 Castello di Brolio Sanbarnaba, that Francesco describes as "the realization of a dream to make a great white wine." The focus is on Trebbiano, and indeed, there are elements of this wine that remind me of the regional benchmark for this thick-skinned variety made over in Radda in Chianti by Monteraponi. The styles are different, with the Sanbarnaba showing more primary intensity, but I think its cellar aging potential is comparable.

Published: Sep 21, 2023

SOIL
This Cru grows on the great valley of the River Arbia, in the southernmost part of the property. The soil, very distinctive and complex, originates from an ancient river terrace dating back to the Pliocene-Pleistocene epochs. These are silty deposits, little evidence of stone, with the presence of clay, a little limestone and poor in organic matter.

HARVEST
The grapes of CeniPrimo vineyard were hand-picked on September 22, 2022.

WINEMAKING
Fermentation temperature 24-27°C with daily punching. Duration of fermentation and maceration on the skins about 14-16 days.

AGEING
22 months in 500-litre tonneaux of which 30% new and 70% second passage.

BOTTLING
January 15, 2025.