Castello Sonnino Leone Rosso, 2022

Whilst many Chianti estates were adopting a more international style of winemaking in the ‘80s and 90s, Baron Alessandro de Renzis preferred to maintain a more traditional approach, eschewing barriques and aggressive extractions. The Castello retains the region’s last remaining ‘vinsantaia’ (traditional vin santo cellars).

Leone Rosso is a delicious baby SuperTuscan, accessible both in drinkability and price. This is a little softer, plusher and more internationally-styled than most of the estate’s other labels, with a blend of 30% each of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, and 10% Ancelotta, a dark-hued variety from Emilia-Romagna, that gives intense colour and ripe tannins.

Dangerously drinkable and very versatile this is super choice for fuelling summer barbecues and summer parties.