Corzano e Paterno Terre di Corzano Chianti 2019

There are whispers of greatness coming out of Tuscany on the 2019 vintage. The Brunello Conzorzio have given the vintage 5 stars, ranking it up there with 2010, ’15 and ’16.

Further north, Chianti producers are just as happy, the ‘19s just coming to market are lush, juicy Sangiovese-based wines yet finish fresh and firm. I don’t know if it is the vines are just get used to a new normal of heat or the wine-growers are managing it better but there is no doubt, these warm vintages in Chianti over the last few years are nothing short of stunning.

Winemaker, Joschi Goldschmidt and his wife Toni actually run two businesses off of their 300 or so acres in Tuscan paradise. The first is a small fromagerie, making several different types of sheep cheeses (their cousin Tylo tends 700 Sardinian sheep on half the property). Sadly, the restaurants of Florence take 100% of the production. I’m working on figuring out a way to smuggle some here although the chance of it getting past the kitchen of our house is not likely.

The other business is wine, where Joschi makes terrifically food-friendly Chianti, with such pure fruit, almost like Pinot Noir with just a touch of earthy rusticity. They farm both sides organically, no chemicals for over 20 years. It’s an absolute oasis in the rolling hills of Chianti, a must visit if you go to Tuscany.

The 2019 is a stunner, fully representing a classic, great vintage. The wine is concentrated but fresh and long on the palate, it’s a delicious bottle of wine. It’s the perfect companion to pizza, pasta with mushrooms, grilled meat, or sheep cheeses.