TASTING REPORT: CHIANTI OFFERS GREAT VALUE

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1 TASTING REPORT: CHIANTI OFFERS GREAT VALUE December 19th, 2011 This report on Chianti from 2007 Chianti Classico riserva to 2010 Chianti comes just at the right time at the height of Christmas shopping. There are plenty of great wines with high scores as well as great bargains in outstanding ratings. In other words, buy these wines and save money for shopping. I am a big fan of Chianti in general. I think that many top Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina riservas and single vineyard wines are as good as top Brunello. So if you like the racy, firm yet fruity style of top Sangiovese, you are going to like them. And the 2007 vintage is a great year for them. I am slightly torn between which is better: 2006 or My opinion changes. Try to get your hands on some of the 2007 Mazzei Chianti Classico Ser Lapo Riserva and you will see what I mean. I scored it 95 points and it shows loads of subtle fruit and rich and velvety tannins. It s a wine to enjoy now or age. The 2007 San Fabiano Calcinaia Cellole Riserva is similar in structure but with riper and slightly more earthy character. I rated it 94 points. They should both be around $40 a bottle. If you want great value, look at many of the younger Chiantis in the report such as the 2009s or 2010s. Many should be from about $10 to $15 a bottle and I rated numerous wines 90 points. As I write this, I am thinking about drinking one of these wines in my warm kitchen in with a roaring fire and some pasta with porcini. Unfortunately, I am in Los Angeles for the holidays. It will have to wait until January. Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more: 2008 Lanciola Chianti Classico Le Masse di Greve 2009 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico 2009 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2010 Piazzano Chianti 2009 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico 2008 Pieve di Spaltenna Chianti Classico 2008 San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2008 Le Corti Chianti Classico 2010 Poggio Salvi Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 Tolaini Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva di Fizzano 2009 Fattoria Le Fonti Chianti Classico 2006 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Selezione Il Margone Riserva 2009 Usiglian del Vescovo Chianti 2009 Malenchini Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2009 Poggio Scalette Chianti Classico 2009 Colle Bereto Chianti Classico 2009 Straccali Chianti Classico Straccali 2009 Tenuta Bibbiano Chianti Classico Montornello 2009 Lanciola Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2008 Castello d'albola Chianti Classico 2007 Castello d'albola Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 Villa La Pagliaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 Fontaleoni Chianti Colli Senesi 2008 Giacomo Mori Chianti Riserva Castelrotto 2010 Danzante Chianti 2010 Fattoria del Cerro Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 Borgo Salcetino Chianti Classico 2008 Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico 2010 Poggio Bonelli Chianti Villachigi 2010 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Cetamura 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2009 Castello di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 Antinori Chianti Classico P ppoli 2008 Panizzi Chianti Colli Senesi Vertunno Riserva 2007 Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico 2008 Conte Lodovico Guicciardini Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2008 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 2010 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Castiglioni 2007 Borgo Salcetino Chianti Classico Lucarello Riserva 2009 Collazzi Chianti Classico I Bastioni 2009 Castelvecchio Chianti Santa Caterina 2009 Sette Ponti Chianti Vigna de Pallino

2 2009 Cecchi Chianti Classico 2009 Castelvecchio Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2010 Villa Poggio A Varna Chianti 2009 Tenuta Bibbiano Chianti Classico 2010 Piccini Chianti 2010 Malenchini Chianti 2009 Villa La Pagliaia Chianti Classico 2010 Straccali Chianti 2009 Piazzano Chianti Rio Camerata 2009 Il Lebbio Chianti MAZZEI SER LAPO SCORE 95 Blueberry and sandalwood aromas, with loads of subtle fruit. Full body, with super velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is classy and focused. Gorgeous wine. Best Chianti Classico ever from here. Drink now or hold. SAN FABIANO CALCINAIA CELLOLE SCORE 94 Lots of spices and dried mushroom, with dark fruits on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and raisins as well as sultanas. Lots going on. Delicious and stylish wine. Drink now. LE CORTI CHIANTI CLASSICO CORTEVECCHIA Full body, with dried fruits such as blackberries and cherries, then a little wet earth. Velvety texture. Another top wine from Principe Corsini in Best after CASTELLO DI MELETO VIGNA POGGIARSO A very fruity and rich red, with plum, berry and loads of mineral with dried mushrooms. Full and velvety, with a lovely balance of fruit. Best after FATTORIA LAVACCHIO CHIANTI RUFINA CEDRO A full-bodied red, with dried fruits and spices with chocolate and meat. Long and flavorful. Loads going on on the palate. Gorgeous!

3 BINDI SERGARDI CHIANTI CLASSICO This wine shows lots of dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas. Toasted oak too. Full and velvety, with lots of fruit. Intense finish. Drink now. FATTORIA LE FONTI Blueberry and toasted oak, with lots of vanilla character. Wonderful nose. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and wonderful structure. This is like a top Brunello. Best in MAZZEI SER LAPO Very floral, with licorice, aniseed and blackberries. Full body, with silky tannins and lots of chocolate, coffee and berries on the finish. Balanced, yet very rich. A top Chianti Classico. Best in RIECINE CHIANTI CLASSICO Lots of ripe fruit, with plums and berries that follow through to a full body and juicy tannins. A beauty. Turns chewy. Very drinkable now, but needs another year of bottle age. CASTELLO D'ALBOLA Dried berries, with hints of dried meats and dried flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and lots of ripe fruit. Orange peel undertone. Just starting to drink well now. CASTELLO DELLA PANERETTA CHIANTI CLASSICO I really like the blueberry and sliced plum character. Full, soft and fresh. Very pretty. Drink now.

4 RUFFINO CHIANTI DUCALE VILLA CERNA CHIANTI CLASSICO VINTAGE 2007 A wine with lots of dried fruits and raisins that turn to cedar and spices. Full and velvety. Juicy finish. There A solid red, with dried raspberries and strawberries on the nose and palate. Full and silky with fine tannins and a long, long finish. A beauty. Better in VALIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO Wow. Love the dried fruits here, with bright herbs and everything else. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long and balanced finish. Very pretty and racy. Drink now. IL MOLINO DI GRACE A wine with chocolate, meat and berry character that follows through to a full palate, with silky tannins and a delicious finish. It shows balance and richness. A Delicious wine. Drink now. PODERE IL PALAZZINO LA PIEVE A wine, with vanilla and berry character. Toasted coffee too. Slightly too much, but rich and fruity, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Powerful wine. Give it two or three years of bottle age before drinking. LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO A structured Chianti Classico, with plenty going on. Dried cherry, with lemon rind and hints of cedar. Medium body, with chewy tannins and a cedary finish. Made from organic grapes. Best after SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO POGGIO ROSSO Some very pretty aromas, with plums and blackberries. Full body, with velvety and chewy tannins. Structured. Dense, yet balanced. Needs time to soften and come together still. Best after 2013.

5 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA A focused beauty to this red, with plum, dried dark cherry and minerals on the nose and palate. Full and silky, with plenty of fruit underneath. Chewy. Give it a year or two of bottle age to soften. Better in CASTELLO DI MONSANTO Chewy and structured, with a firm tannins and racy acidity. Full body, with lots of plummy and blackberry fruit. Need about three years to soften. Best in BADIA A COLTIBUONO A full and chewy red, with light prune and cedar character on the nose and palate. Velvety texture. Grows on you. Made from organic grapes. Drink now. SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO POGGIO ROSSO Blackberry and blueberry aromas, with hints of dried mushrooms. Full body, fine tannins. Solid red. Drink now. POGGIO BONELLI CHIANTI CLASSICO Bright and fruity, with mineral and dried blackberries and hints of flowers. Full and very long, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. Drink now. MELINI VIGNETI LA SELVANELLA This is rich and fruity, with a wonderful freshness still for the vintage. Full and silky, with bright acidity and a clean mineral, dried fruit aftertaste. Drink now.

6 MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI CHIANTI RUFINA NIPOZZANO Fresh plums and blueberries, with dark chocolate. Subtle aromas. Full body, with round and soft tannins and a long rich finish. A little chewy now. Better in FATTORIA DI BASCIANO CHIANTI RUFINA Raisin and spice character, with hints of chocolate. Full and juicy. Long finish. Drink now. FATTORIA MONTELLORI CHIANTI SUPERIORE CASELLE A solid Chianti, with lovely dried cherry and dark chocolate character. Full body, with good fruit and a delicious finish. Drink now. FATTORIA LAVACCHIO CHIANTI RUFINA CEDRO A silky and juicy red, with blackberry and grilled meat character. Full body, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Drink now. COLLE BERETO CHIANTI CLASSICO Like the chocolate and dried cherry character here, with orange peel undertones. Full and velvety. Best after RENZO MASI CHIANTI A pretty and layered Chianti, with dark berry and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Full body, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. Drink now.

7 CASTELVECCHIO CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI VIGNA LA QUERCIA A juicy and fruity wine, with chocolate and spices that turn to dried fruits. Full and velvety. Drink now. FATTORIA DI BASCIANO CHIANTI RUFINA A pleasant and fruity Rufina, with spices and berries and undertones of meat. Full and juicy. Drink now. RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO Blackberries, with sliced truffles and mahogany on the nose. Full and juicy, with velvety tannins and a chewy finish. Drink now. ROCCA DELLE MACIE DI FIZZANO Blueberries and blackberries, with minerals and dried spices. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long and racy finish. Drink now. ANTINORI CHIANTI CLASSICO Beautiful aromas of flowers and berries, follow through to a full body and chewy tannins with a berry, woody finish. Best after CASTELLO DELLA PANERETTA CHIANTI CLASSICO TORRE A DESTRA A fruity red, with plum and berries, but a little dry and tannic. Full body, with fresh acidity. Little dry. Drink now.

8 CASTELLO DI CACCHIANO A soft and velvety wine, with cedar and new wood and hints of dried fruits. Starting to dry now. Full body. Needs drinking. Just outstanding. PIEVE DI SPALTENNA Blackberry and blueberry character on the nose and palate. Medium-to-full body, with fine tannins and a balanced finish. Better after ANTICA FATTORIA MACHIAVELLI CHIANTI CLASSICO VIGNA DI FONTALLE Some lovely fruit, with dried berries and minerals on the nose and palate. Full and silky, with fine tannins and a delicately fruity finish. Drink now. CASTELLO DI MELETO VIGNA CASI Soft and velvety, with dark fruits and dark chocolate. Full body, with ripe tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now. DA VINCI(ITALY) CHIANTI LEONARDO VINTAGE 2010 A fruity and very real Chianti, with slice plums and ripe strawberries and thins of vanilla. Full and fruity. Real Chianti. Real value. Drink now. BINDI SERGARDI CHIANTI COLLI SENESI Bright and fruity, with a gorgeous dried cherry character. Full and lively with bright acidity and a clean finish. Drink now.

9 TENUTA LE CALCINAIE CHIANTI COLLI SENESI This is a Chianti, with a solid core of bright cherry fruit and fresh acidity. Love the underlying lemon peel character. Persistent and delicious finish. Made from organic Sangiovese grapes. Drink now. GIACOMO MORI CHIANTI Dried cherry and berry, with plum character. Full, yet delicate and balanced. Delicious now. DA VINCI(ITALY) CHIANTI LEONARDO Wow. This is beautiful with plenty of dried cherries and dark chocolate character. Full, yet balanced and delicious. Outstanding for a Chianti! Drink now. CASTELLO DEI RAMPOLLA I like the chocolate, berry and meat aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and porcini. Finishes with milk chocolate. Wonderful now. CASTELLO DI MONSANTO CHIANTI MONROSSO Plenty of fresh fruit, with citrus and berry character. Medium body and a clean finish. Delicious. From one of the legend wineries of Chianti Classico. Wonderful quality for the money. Drink now. CASTELLO DI MONSANTO IL POGGIO This is a little chewy, with lots of fruit and a spicy finish. Full and rich. Needs to soften with bottle age. Best in LEAVE COMMENT SUBMIT