2015 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rùfina Nipozzano Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

A definite step up from the 2014 and back up to their usual standards.  This is usually an easy choice for a go to value in Chianti and wine in general.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight anise, slight forest floor.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very smooth texture.  Nice juicy cherry fruit with some underlying damp earth.  Nice acidity.  Well rounded.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and will continue for at least a decade, probably more.  A great match with pizza or pasta for sure.  

2016 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

One of my go to Chianti's.  Truly a consistently great value.  2016 is another  great vintage in Chianti in general and for this wine.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cherries, slight black cherries, tea leaves and just a bit of fennel.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  A nice backbone of acidity.  Concentration and depth that will undoubtedly unwind into layers as it ages.  Right now lots of cherries on the palate.  This drinks well on its own but really is better with food.  Of course, pizza and pasta with tomato sauce but almost any meat or fowl or vegetable dish will work.  D

2013 Marchesi Gondi Chianti Rùfina Riserva Villa Bossi, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

OK.  So when we did this tasting, we had six Chianti's.  I went thru the lineup.  Then we invited friends over and about ten more people tried the wines.  I revisit them that night, the next night and finish on day 3.  This was almost the unanimous wine of the night.  If it was labelled Brunello or even a Super Tuscan, i think the scores would have been higher.  Of course, there is always something that says the best Chianti's can't score that high.  I have never subscribed to that philosophy as producers like Felsina and Fontodi deserve higher scores.  Well add this one to the list.   A bl

2016 Marchesi Gondi Chianti Rùfina Riserva Pian dei Sorbi, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Colorino.  Purple with ruby swirls.  It is very tight on opening but with air opens to black cherry fruit.  The nose is easy and enjoyable.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru.  This seems ripe and has an almost cough syrup quality to the cherry fruit.  A bit of anise on the finish.  Firm tannins.  This is concentrated but seems more about fruit than a typical Chianti.  That proved to be a good thing in a tasting.  It will be interesting to see how this ages from here.  It seems like there is room to improve over the next few years.  It sho

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

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
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

2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This was quite good.  In general, 2011 is a good, not great vintage in Chianti, but this was very good.  It is a very classic Chianti for all of the right reasons.  Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes.  Medium/dark ruby in color.  Clear and bright.  The nose is very nice.  It is earthy with macerated cherries and fresh cherries along with a sweaty note.  Sort of a rustic Tuscan quality.  On the palate, this has bright cherries over a forest floor.  Very firm tannins.  Long finish.  It was tasted and about half consumed, then a neutral cork inserted and left over night on the counter.  Better o

2012 Fietri Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

My first time trying his producer and I am impressed.  it is 100% Sangiovese with 13% abv.  Ruby in color, with just a hint of orange/brown.  The nose shows a very slight oxidation.  Not sure if that is age, style or the cork, but not enough to be an issue.  There is also a slight volatile acidity.  Again, not enough to be an issue.  In fact, the two together gives this wine an impression of being just a bit older than it is, but it is still drinking well.  Finally, the nose also has cherries and a warm, earthy forest quality to it.  On the palate, this has a very nice mouthfeel.  Medium ta

2014 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rùfina Nipozzano Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

2014 was a very difficult vintage in Tuscany.  Still, this is a nice wine if not at the level of better vintages.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight dry tea and slight mushrooms.  On the palate, the cherries come thru if a bit diluted.  So do the mushrooms.  Not as much acidity as other vintage.  Still, it will work well with pizza or Italian dishes.  Not a bad choice off the menu at a local Italian eatery.  

2004 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli, Italy, Tuscany, Wine review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Pop and pour, this took a few minutes to open and then drank well.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, wet green tea, spice and slight char.  Full bodied.  A nice back bone of acidity.  Lots of cherry fruit layered with forest floor notes and a bit of anise.  Long finish.  This worked great with a pasta dish.  It also drank well on its own.  It won't get better but should be great drinking for the next ten to twelve years.  

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