Effe 55 comes from a two-hectare northeast-facing plot at 550 metres above sea level and includes the estate's oldest vines, which were planted in 1970 to Sangiovese clones from Montalcino. A mellow yet promising nose exhibits red currants laced with stony mineral and seductive truffles. Attractively textured with wood that frames rather than imposes, the tannins are firm and the acidity crisp. Blood orange lingers on the finish. Elegant and understated, this promises to express more with time.

Walnuts, cherries, blueberries, chocolate, oregano and mint leaves on the nose. Salted olives, too. Flavorful, broad and inviting, with a medium to full body and firm, fine tannins. I like the salty undertones. Long. 100% sangiovese. Drink or hold.

The 2019 Chianti Classico Effe 55, the estate's Gran Selezione, is plush, silky and super appealing. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, dried leaves and exotic spice overtones meld into a core of sweet macerated cherry. Long and persistent, the 2019 is impeccably balanced. Silky tannins round things out in style.

A succulent red marked by a mix of lively cherry, pomegranate, earth and leafy underbrush flavors backed by a sinewy structure, leaving dusty tannins and a pleasant astringency on the finish. Aeration and food will mitigate this wine's tannins.