Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend

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!

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.

Not a great vintage or perhaps not a great bottle. This has apparent VA and an unbalanced character. Somewhat medicinal.

Shows no heat whatsoever...classic sangio

Smoky, winey cherry fruit in the nose, with minerally gravel and a little balsamic note. Medium bodied and nicely balanced, with little tannin and nice acids. Great pasta wine.

Bright red-brick clear color; nose is dominated by flower petals and scented liquid soap, potpourri sort of, likely from new oak, which obscures other flavors like fruit; medium-everything on the palate, with unexceptional overall taste.

Suspiciously quiet. Cork? Developed. Plums. Earth. Reserved. Fast. Dull.

Very complex for a non-Riserva. Nose has macerated cherry, roasted green herbs, loads of crushed stone-rich gravel, and a light savory balsamic note. Savory and intense, it’s got good acidity and cling. Hella good CC.

This is a nice Chianti and good value for the money. Not terrible complex but pairs well with any Italian food. Nice sipping wine and a pleasant finish. Enjoy. Would not plan on aging.

Yum. What a bottle of wine. Amazing value.