2017 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

In a recent tasting of Chianti Classico Riservas, this was the (surprise) winner of the tasting. Ruby in color with some purple hues in the core, mostly clear and bright. The nose has black cherries, some salinity, and spice. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black cherries with a wile thyme note. Good acidity. Nice finish. This is fully mature and ready to drink. It will be better with food. Drink over the next five years. A perfect choice for a Wednesday Meatloaf or Burger. Great value.

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Score:

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$14.00USD

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

Some of the great wines in Italy, and the world, hail from Tuscany. Other articles have discussed Super Tuscans , and some of the great wines based on the Sangiovese grape including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino . In this article, another great Sangiovese based wine is explored: Vin Nobile di Montepulciano. The name of this wine can be confusing. Long ago these wines became the chosen wine of nobility hence the Nobile part of the name.

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2015 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Famiglia Zingarelli Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

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Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$24.00USD

Brilliant showing for this wine. What a great value. Everyone in the room commented on how good this was. Perhaps a bit modern and fruit forward for a "traditional" Chianti, but it is delicious and affordable. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has black cherries, slight chocolate, dust and slight loose tea. On the palate, the chocolate and black cherries dominate at this point. Medium tannins. Enough acidity to counter the fruit. Deep. It unwinds in the glass. Good finish. This is delicious on its own and will work well with burgers or pizza. It should develop for the

Best Super Tuscan “Value” Wines

Super Tuscan wines can be expensive and, let's face it, with the Euro kicking the Dollar's butt, finding a Super Tuscan that doesn't break the bank can be a challenge. IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts to recommend the best Super Tuscan "Value" wines: A Sangiovese-less Super Tuscan!?!? Specifically I suggest the 2003 Rocca di Montegrossi "Geremia". I know, I know. There’s no Sangiovese in this Super Tuscan! It’s 60/40 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively. And truly, it is a brutish wine, filled with tannin and body and yet there is a substantial amount of finesse. The 2003 vintage was a beauty for Northern Italy, unlike 2002.

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1997 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

1997

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$40.00USD

How long does a good, if not great, Chianti last? This bottle was bought on release and cellared since. The fill was just into the neck of the bottle. Pop and pour (carefully). Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose was complex with cherries, slight dried cherries, forest floor and slight spice. Full bodied. Tannins integrated. On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant. Fully mature. Ripe cherry and slight sour cherry fruit along with a bit of sandalwood. Some depth and complexity. Nice finish. Blind I would have though about seven to ten years

2016 Pomona Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$40.00USD

This is a 100% Sangiovese wine that utilizes certified organic grapes. And, of course, 2016 is an excellent vintage for Chianti. This wine is superb. The cork was quite tight and took some effort to extract. The wine is deep garnet in color, purple at the core. Mostly opaque and dark. On the nose this has big black cherry fruit, slight black licorice and just of touch of earl grey tea. On the palate, this has a lush texture. Plenty of black cherry fruit with cherries. It is still somewhat tight and young. Firm tannins. Long finish with an interesting anise note. This will need a

2017 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

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Best Super Tuscan “Value” Wines

1997 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

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