Chianti Classico DOCG 2011 vintage: See Chianti Classico DOCG.

2011 Growing season: ‘The 2012 and 2011 vintages were generally hot. The main differences between them are that in 2011 the heat started immediately: even April and May recorded record-high temperatures,’ (Ian D’Agata, Vinous, Sept 2014). Abundant winter rains. ‘Mild and rainy spring; hot end of June, early July; very hot August; mild September,’ (Nesto & Savino, 2016, p.190). | Summer temperatures above average, low rainfall. Low vine vigour. Both fruit set and veraison ahead of the norm. High temperatures at the end of August further accelerated ripening. ‘Very hot august; vines in hilly, water-retaining clay soils did best. Wines have rich tannins but good acidity,’ (Susan Hulme MW: Decanter May 2018, p.91).

Paolo de Marchi of Isole e Olena told me (28 Jan 2021 by ‘Phone) that ‘2011 was a nice year, with a nice summer until the end of August when we had a heat wave. This was due to a strong wind from the south west and we are on the western slope of Chianti Classico. Usually the end of August is when the nights are getting longer and problems with heat are gone. We had to to do some de-leafing to give air to the grapes. It  was a difficult harvest as one side of the cluster was raisined. A lot of selection was needed. Smelling the new wine in tanks was a bit like Amarone. This was not what I wanted so we did an even more severe selection. We asked the pickers to add 5% Trebbiano Toscano which added freshness and acidity. It gave such a lively touch and was part of the local tradition. It made the wine more balanced and bright. But the tannins were harsher compared to 2016. Drink now to 2025.’

2011 Production 28.6 million hl (Source: Federdoc as reported by I Numeri del Vino). |

2011 Wine quality: ‘Another hot year [very hot late August], but far better balanced wines [than 2012]. Bags of extract. Ripe tannins though and the fruit has richness and depth. The riservas and Gran Selezioni are plush, round,’ says Richard Baudains (Decanter Italy Supplement: 2016, p.59). Less evenly ripe compared to 2010. Selection needed in the vineyard in 2011. Lighter than 2010 due to bigger grapes, with less intensity and flesh (but not without elegance and complexity). The tannins were less mature than usual, meaning shorter maceration times on skins. It did rain–care needed. More rain, bigger berries than 2010. A convenient vintage for early drinking. Ready in 2021. Good to have senior Tuscan reds that you can get your teeth into earlier rather than later, and with a bit of ‘sex appeal’ due to the heat spike.