Billy L.

9.1

Excellent with Angel Hair Pasta — 14 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Splash decanted about 15min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours and with a variety of fare. The 2020 “Le Trame” could by all rights be labeled “Chianti Classico” as the fruit is all sourced from Castelnuovo Berardenga and aged more than an enough prior to release. However, Giovanna chooses to use the IGT designation and honestly, who cares because this is awesome stuff. The wine pours a deep garnet color with medium+ viscosity, moderate staining and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of Morello cherry, black tea, licorice, and dry stony earth. There’s definitely some VA too but that eventually blows off with about 30min of air. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. This is already quite the charmer; there is just something about these wines from Podere La Boncie that I find to be so wonderful, so soulful. Drink now with some patience and through 2035. — 3 months ago

Koichi Tanaka

9.0

味わい深く、飲みやすく、でも軽すぎない。 — 7 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

A Benjamin Button wine. When I opened it last night, it initially was quite disappointing. Old, browning color, nose showing little fruit and mostly dried underbrush. But it began to perk up with an hour or so of air, so I saved the rest for tonight. And it’s pretty nice tonight! Strangely, the color has gotten more youthful looking. The nose shows dark macerated cherry with a significant iron note to the earthiness. A lifted menthol/ camphor thing. In the mouth, it’s got a nice freshness, and hits more like a Chianti Classico Riserva from Castelnuovo Berardenga than a typical Brunello. Dark cherry and lots of savory minerality. A little, nice bitter note in the close. Not super deep or lengthy, but a tasty wine nonetheless. Be sure to decant and give this wine lots of air. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed with a simple meal of pasta all’arrabbiata and over the course of a few hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, orange bitters, exotic spices, black tea, black licorice, some dried green herbs and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and lithe in body. I’ve long been a fan of Fèlsina fan and their Chianti Classico and Riserva especially so. When it’s a great vintage like 2021? Back up the truck. These will drink well through 2031 with ease. I can’t wait to try the CCR! — a month ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo offers up scents of plum, blackberry, dried herbs, leather, cedar, tobacco and licorice. This virile Riserva captures plenty of the earthy, somber power often found in wines from Castelnuovo Berardenga. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2024)
— 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Poured into a decanter about 90min before service; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2010 “Poggio delle Rose” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherries compote, red flowers, balsamic, oiled leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. This is a flashier expression of Chianti Classico Riserva by Castell’in Villa, with a modern touch. However, the sense of place is not even a question. This is Castelnuovo Berardenga through and through. Drinking well now with an extended decant and will continue to drink well through 2030, easy. — 7 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.2

Solid and enjoyable sangiovese. Paired well with lamb. — a month ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

2021 | Red Blend
(55% Merlot / 35% Syrah / 10% Sangiovese)
Gaja; Ca'Marcanda Promis
Tuscany; Bolgheri, Maremma, Italy
(88-90; Drink 2025-31)

A last minute substitution for a likely flawed bottle of Fèlsina Rancia...Just one of many chances we take when buying wines on the secondary market. 🤷🏻‍♂️ — 4 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Richer style of Chianti Riserva, less acidic.
Underwood, potpourri, dried cherry, hint of prunes and herbs. — 5 months ago