While the regular Tenuta Selvaforte Chianti is rather juicy, fresh and easy-drinking, the Riserva is a more serious and layered wine. Sangiovese brings its familiar fresh acidity of sour cherry and red berries, while longer maturation adds darker fruit, spiciness, herbal notes and a slightly earthy nuance.

On the palate the wine is dry, medium- to full-bodied and more clearly structured. The tannins are present but very food-friendly – which is exactly what makes the Riserva an especially good companion for richer meat dishes.

Tenuta Selvaforte behind it is the Molendi family, whose winemaking history, according to the producer, dates back to the 19th century. The family's first vineyard was planted in 1880, and the modern Tenuta Selvaforte brand was created in 2022. The producer's vineyards are located in the Valdarno Superiore area in eastern Tuscany. It is an interesting terroir, because the region's higher and more open sites help preserve the acidity Sangiovese needs, even in warm Tuscan vintages.