David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This 14 has a bit of a story. I opened their 2005 last weekend, which was fantastic, I also opened their 2014 as an example w/ a friend to show how important aging is in Italy reds out of Tuscany & Piemonte. Also, how long it takes for the amount of new wood use Italians put to both to soften. The Italians hold them back in bottle sometimes two to three years or longer. The 05 last weekend was a 93-94. This after an hour & half decant, 90-91. In time, add one to two points.

For those who didn’t study their ass off to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers exam, the difference between Chianti & Chianti Classico is, Classico needs to come from a specific region in Chianti and needs to have an additional 10% of Sangiovese over regular Chianti.

2014 a good but not all-star vintage like 2010.

The 2014 still young. Showing dry; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some black plum, dry cranberries & strawberry hues. Oak barrel shavings, dry; leather, cedar, & dry tobacco, limestone & sandstone power, dry twig, dry river stone, dry top soil, slight candied & withering; red, dark, purple flowers framed in violets, nice acidity and a taut structured & tensioned but balanced, elegantly polished landing on dry earth that lasts nearly 90 seconds.

It is a good pair w/ the lasagna that has a really nice dark seasoning in it. An aged Nebbiolo might have worked better. From, The Adorable French Bakery at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. No permanent location. — 13 days ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Really quite nice, and a perfect pairing with a Tuscan style bistecca. Have wanted to try Isole e Olena for a while but I think this was the first time. Dark cherry, some dusty restrained tannins, excellent acid of course. Another nice 2020 Chianti. — 22 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is particularly strong this year. Red cherry, plum, blood orange and pomegranate infuse the 2021 with notable depth. French oak is better integrated than in the past. There's less extraction today and quite a bit more finesse. This is a terrific showing from Antinori. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2024)
— 15 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Ruby with berry fruit aromas, tobacco and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with cedar and spice notes. Fine tannins, good balance with acidity, medium+ finish ending with toasty oak character. Drink now, food friendly, nice value! — 8 days ago

Riccardo L.

9.1

No question that when the right wine is aged to the right point, there’s nothing better. What an experience it was to.. first, go to this winery in 2008 and meet the people the run it, and then drink this beauty in 2024 and relive that magic while enjoying the poetry inside the bottle. — 12 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2022 Chianti Classico is a powerful, rich wine that offers a striking reflection of the intensity of the year, slightly tempered by the elevation of Radda. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, cinnamon and orange peel are all nicely lifted. There's gorgeous brilliance and energy here. The 2022 spent 16 months in cask. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2024)
— 15 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 90% Sangiovese with rest Canaiolo. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 12 days ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Had this out last night. Solid Chianti. Visited this winery a few years ago. Lovely place. Great golden retriever followed us around. — 3 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Querciabella, in Italian, means “beautiful oak” and surrounds their vineyards. Founded in 1974 by Giuseppe Castiglioni, now managed and owned by Sebastiano Cossia Castiglionii. Sangiovese from biodynamically grown grapes, Ruby, lovely nose of fruit, floral and spice. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors with earthy herb notes and spicy cacao. Fine tannins, good balance, medium+ finish ending with earthy character. Nice value, consistent. — 25 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2019 Chianti Classico has changed dramatically since I last tasted it, either because of more time in bottle, or because this is a later bottling. In any event, the 2019 is dense, ample and resonant in feel. Readers will find a serious, texturally intense Chianti Classico that delivers the goods, big time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2024)
— 15 days ago