Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013 Wine Review

Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013

Tuscany D.O.C.G, Italy

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 21

Add My Review

Price: $24.95

Drink: 2017-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Castello di Gabbiano

Agent: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits

Natalie's Score: 92/100

A vibrant, racy, smooth, full-bodied Chianti Reserva with great typicity of the region and terroir. Aromas of earth, smoke and dried black fruit. Mouth-watering and juicy. Pair with tomato-based meat sauces.

Chianti Classico food pairings: roast beef, cheesy pizza, stuffed roasted turkey, pasta in tomato sauce.

Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine

This Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013 was reviewed on August 4, 2018 by Natalie MacLean

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
216309
$24.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
25163
$15.52
2,354 bottles

Store

Stock

Lynn Valley

Richmond Seafair

Langley

Fort Street

Alberni & Bute

See More Locations Edit Locations

SAQ
10843298
$23.05
Check Stock

AGLC
710322
$16.19

ANBL
813606
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Trevor Sabourin - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The bouquet is intense, and offers dark plum, blackberry, red apple skins, violet, sweet tobacco, black olive, and some earthy notes of mushroom and potting soil. The palate leans more toward tart dark cherry, sage, and olive, with the mushroom and earth coming back strongly on the long finish. Elegant and balanced, with a medium-full body, and integrated, medium-high acidity and tannins. Quite drinkable now, but should age gracefully. An excellent pairing for mushroom risotto. Tasted blind, Feb. 2016.

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

I tasted this wine blind in a flight with four other Chianti Riserva. My first thought was "elegant". Soft aromas of smoke, sweet red cherry, leather, spice and oak that follow through on the palate. Medium to full body. Supple tannins with fresh acidity and a long fruit finish. Aged 16 to 18 months in French oak it will benefit from further aging in the bottle. This is a fairly complex wine that would make a fine addition to a Sunday dinner of roasted lamb or pork.

Mymi Thesingingsommelier - Sommelier, FWS rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

The Castello di Gabbiano estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region in Tuscany. The historical “castello” dates back from the 12th century but has been restored into a spectacular hotel which includes its own restaurant, a swimming pool, as well as the winery itself and over 100 hectares of vines and olive groves. All the winemaking work is done on the premises so guests also witness the whole process from picking grapes to bottling.
The Chianti Classico Riserva is Castello di Gabbiano’s flagship wine, utilizing more than 50% of the estate’s vines. Only the finest grapes were selected for the 2013 vintage. The fruit from different parts of the vineyard were fermented and aged separately which gave winemaker Federico Cerelli an exciting and wide range of flavors as well as textures to create his master blend with.
This one includes 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot.
Brilliant ruby red in color and a bit subdued on the nose but as oxygen came in contact with the wine, aromas of ripe berry fruit, wet black earth & leaves, crushed black cardamom and a hint of incense came through.
Dry and intense on the palate with a luscious, round mouthfeel. Elegant balance of tannin and acidity with ripe red fruit, especially plum mingling with a dense earthiness, a hint of dark spice cake and a lingering finish.
Sumptuous

Lise Charest Gagne rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Blended with 5% Merlot this 95% Sangiovese is quite fruit forward a characteristic I quite enjoy in a Chianti. Sporting a ruby red deep tone this wine is quite aromatic at first but softened after about an hour. I would decant it as I enjoyed it much more after it opened up. Aromas of ripe red fruits (currants and red cherries), leather, earthy smoke and a hint of sweet vanilla (the vanilla was increasingly present after the hour). Mouth-watering with flavors of the same red fruits, tobacco, spice, herbs and soft tannins. The wine has high acidity but it is harmonious leaving a lingering fruit and smooth spice flavor in the mouth. I would enjoy this wine with a rich tomato, garlic based dish.

Wineboy rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A more traditional style Chianti offering cherries and soil/earth aromas. Replays nicely on the palate with the addition of some dusty wood flavours all in a fully dry style. Some tannins are obvious. Could be aged 4 years from now.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Food-friendly with layers of fruit and spices. Damson plum, cinnamon, clove and blackberry present themselves on the nose and on the palate. Velvety tannins and well-balanced. Pair with charcuterie. Tasted June 01 2017.

Jon Steeves - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This wine is vibrant ruby red and shows typicity. On the nose and palate are prominent eucalyptus, tart dark cherry, a hint of cocoa, green olive and medium red fruit. Wonderful balance, this wine has high acidity and bold fruit with a medium plus body. This wine shows a medium finish and persistence of eucalyptus and cherry. Great value. Pair with Tuscan tomato-based pastas or eggplant parmesan. Tasted at both the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2016 and Ottawa Castello Di Gabbiano Winemakers Dinner 2016. Rated 90/100.

Jane LeFresne rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This wine is packed with red berry and dried fruit aromas on the nose along with some earthy and cedar undertones. The red berries and dried fruit follow through on the palate with some added dark chocolate flavours. Medium tannins and high acidity. A crowd pleaser for those who like old world wines. Drink on it's own or pair with red meats, mushroom or tomato based dishes.

Terry Jeans - Certified S rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A balanced wine of cherry, earthiness, herbs, with high acid and medium tannins. A classic expression of the Sangiovese varietal, done by one of the older wine makers with a rich history dating back almost 850 years. For the price, this is a real value and incredibly food friendly. Would be perfect with a meaty Ragu and pasta.

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A delicious Chianti Classico Reserva showing ripe cherry, dried fruit, vanilla, baking spice and slight oak in a well-integrated, smooth mouthfeel with an elegant spicy cherry finish. Enjoy with rich mushroom risotto, game or veal.

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby, dark fruit with ripe almost purne and raisin notes, soya and chocolate. The palate shows dark berry, slight sour cherry with some spice and dried herb notes. Medium full bodied with fine grained tannins, the wine is a little edgy at first, but really hits its stride after an hour in the glass as the fruit opens and the wine softens. Pair with mushroom risotto. Tasted blind at Gabbiano winemakers lunch February 2016.

Adam Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

To start I wasn't impressed with this wine, and its more about style than substance in this case. I think this wine might need a little more time in bottle to really show off. It was very tight and muted to start, but did start showing more fruit expression after I went back to it a few. Well structured and well rounded corners. Once again food will help it open up for sure. This wine dining really speak to me but it doesn't mean it's not good, for the price the quality is definitely there.

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Vero Italiano! Ruby-red with those typcal Italian characteristics: black cherry, blackberry, leather bag, savoury, chewy, chalky dry, spicy finish and of course the zingy acidity and grainy tannins that make this a food-lover. Obvious pairings: bistecca, wild boar, agnello...

Lynn van der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Aromas of black cherries, baking spices, vanilla, and a hint of smoke, that transform to red cherry flavours and a crisp tart finish. Perfect pizza wine! 89 pts.
Tasted June 2017.

Castello di Gabbiano Riserva (2013) is a well-priced, dry and medium-bodied Chianti Classico Reserva from the Tuscany wine region. Earthy and smoky with dried cherries on the nose, on the palate this is a flavoursome red with ripe black cherries, baking spices, vanilla, and a hint of smoke. Tannins are silky. This is a perfect meatlover's pizza wine. - Community Wine Reviews

4 Members would buy this wine again

If you liked the Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Charles Baker White Wine
Riesling 2021,
Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 333,852 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 333,852 strong:

Castello di Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings