Top Ten Italian Red Wines - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

2020 San Felice Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This winery  makes a variety of Chianti Classico wines with this being the basic offering.  That said, it is consistently an excellent wine and a great value.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cranberries, nutmeg, slight dried leaves and char.  Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has cherry flavors with some spice and forest floor.  Good finish.  This would be better with food.  A nice wine for pizza night or a plate of pasta.  Drink over the next five to eight years. 

 

2017 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes in Tuscany.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood, slight black cherries, spice and roasted herbs.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cherries, slight black cherries with underlying forest floor notes.  Long finish.  This begs for food and would be great with your favorite pasta.  Drink over the next eight to fifteen years.  

2004 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

This is mature and pretty much at peak right now.  Garnet in color with the slightest browning at the rim.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with  cherries, slight dried cherries, slight asphalt and dust.  WIth air a bit of dried roses come out.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Good acidity.  Flavors of cherries, dried cherries and a bit of dried forest floor.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but really needs food.  It went well with a Truffle Pasta dish.  Drink over the next few years.  

2016 Tenuta di Ceppaiano Keith Haring Toscana IGT

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a Super Tuscan blend of 60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from Tuscany.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cassis, slight vanilla, spice and slight mint.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this seems mature but just coming into its own.  Flavors of cherries, cassis, black cherries with a touch of spice and a bit of mint.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  A nice choice for pizza night to be sure.  Drink over the next five to eight years.

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