Chianti

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

This seemed to be a step above the 2017 although both were quite good. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries, tart cherries and slight chocolate notes.  Good finish.  This needs a few years of cellaring to hit peak though it drinks well now.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  A nice wine to match with Pasta with Bolognese sauce.  

This now carries a Gran Selezione status (and price tag).  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has cherries, forest floor, dust and slight anise.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, bright cherry fruit.  Deep.  On the palate, cherries and slight plums with some underlying forest floor.  Good acidity.  Long finish. A very pretty Chianti.  It is drinking well but should continue to for another ten to fifteen years.  Better with food.  Ribolitte (Vegetable stew) would be a great dinner match.  

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  On the nose black cherries, dust, some cherries and tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  Silky texture.  Black cherry fruit with some underlying forest floor.  Tight and tannic.  This seems riper than other vintages but also seems very closed.  Eventually it opened up after a couple of hours in the glass.  Maybe hold for a couple years and drink for ten after that.  It will work better with food.  Maybe Potato Tortelli would be a nice match young.  

Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy/sweaty socks along with cherries and slight anise.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, cherries and tea leaves.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  There is a nice depth as well.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It would work well with Braised meat and pasta.

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a "dusty attic" quality to it along with cherries.  Light bodied.  On the palate, light tannins.  Cherries turning a bit candied on the finish.  Good acidity.  This is a bit lighter in style but still true to its Chianti roots.  Better with food than on its own.  This would be nice with a creamy Tuscan Chicken dish.  

Perhaps the top Chianti, and certainly better than most Brunellos.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, hints of anise, smoke and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is versatile and delicious.  Cherries, forest floor and char with strong acidity.  Long finish.  This is still young but will drink well for another twenty years.  If drinking soon, give it some air.  This is made for food and while nice on its own, is better with food.  Pizza or pasta would be great, but this will also work well with braise

This is not your regular Chianti.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight anise, slight tea leaves and spice.  Full bodied.  Great backbone of acidity.  On the palate, lots of bright cherries with some anise.  Long finish.  Deep and complex.  Light tannins.  Drinking great now and will continue for another ten to fifteen years.  This works great with food, pasta with a tomato sauces is a classic choice.  

Perhaps the top Chianti available, this wine is always good especially from such a great vintage as 2016.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, hay, anise and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, bold cherries, slight sour cherries, char and slight tea leaves.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but still on the young side.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but really begs for food.  Pasta with bolognaise sauce is perfect.

A nice, Chianti, this is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, forest floor and some anise.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to eight years.  It works better with food, pasta with meatballs or mushrooms would be a nice choice.