Tasting Chianti Blind at Lou’s

After an unbelievably youthful and glacially evolving 2007 Domaine Vrignaud, Chablies Premier Cru Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes it was time to tuck into some red wines.  Thus a handful of us stood in Lou’s tasting room to work our way through four brown-bagged wines.  The first, clearly past prime, had me guess 1970s.  I was a good decade off.  For the other three wines, I oscillated between mid-2000 petit Bordeaux or a northern Italian Bordeaux blend also of the same age.  I had the general age correct but not the grape nor the region!

Of the trio of Felsina Berardenga, Chianti Classico Riserva, the 2006 has the greatest potential.  It is crisp with a promising future.  The 2007 has good, deep flavors but it didn’t exhibit the same potential as the others.  The 2008 is the most forward and generous. It is the vintage to drink while the 2006 ages.

With dinner Lou opened the 2012 Red Newt Cellars, Viridescens, Finger Lakes.  This generous wine drinks at its peak immediatley upon opening.  It does benefit from a touch of air as it took on bacon fat and smoke.  I like the Finger Lakes wines Lou opens.  Those with just a few years of age seem to be at peak.

2007 Domaine Vrignaud, Chablies Premier Cru Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes
Imported by KV Imports. Alcohol 13%.  A light, golden-tinged yellow-straw (phew!).  Fresh, surprisingly so, with moderate body and focused, clean flavors.  Round with hints of sweetness, nuts, and flint in the middle.  There is a touch of fat in the end.  Should continue to slowly develop.  ***(*) Now – 2028.

Blind Wine #1 – 1962 Fattoria Grande di Montagnana Chianti
Imported by T. Elenteny Imports.  Alcohol 12.5%.  Past prime, drinkable but just barely! Not Rated.

Blind Wine #2 – 2006 Felsina Berardenga, Chianti Classico Riserva
Alcohol 13.5%.  Imported by Bacchus Importers.  Firm with sweet cherry flavors.  The wine is focused and tense with crisp, structure in the end.  Additional red fruits and polished wood come out.  More promising development to come.  ***(*) Now – 2028.

Blind Wine #3 – 2007 Felsina Berardenga, Chianti Classico Riserva
Alcohol 13.5%.  Imported by Bacchus Importers.  Lower lying, deep notes to the flavor. A polished edge remains a big closed and is still structured.  *** Now – 2023.

Blind Wine #4 – 2008 Felsina Berardenga, Chianti Classico Riserva
Alcohol 13.5%.  Imported by Bacchus Importers.  An articulate nose of cherries and other berries.  Deep, brambly red and black fruit is still youthful.  Round in the start with tense, citric acidity, ripe and sweet tannins.  A good drink that will come round faster than the 2006. Perhaps in the next year!  ***(*) Now – 2023.

2012 Red Newt Cellars, Viridescens, Finger Lakes
This wine is a blend of 67% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Alcohol 13.8%.  First impressions of it are that its quite rounded and definitely new world.    Surprisingly ripe with generous flavors and some smoke around the good core of fruit.  It drinks as if its at its peak.  With air, the smoke morphs into bacon fat and smoke, as if from a Northern Rhone wine.  Great showing.  ***(*) Now.

Wines with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Lou brought a trio of bottles over to go with Thanksgiving leftovers.  Coupled with a magnum of Bandol we tasted through some diverse wines.  The 1997 Argyle, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley is from a moderate vintage and provides enough interest for a small glass.  The wine tastes as if the fruit were not quite ripe when picked.  Despite that criticism, the wine itself is chugging along and in no way decrepit.  From a much better vintage the 2001 Castello di Brolio, Chianti Classico looks significantly younger than its age.  It is full of color and dark red fruit delivered with some bright acidity.  While it is not particularly complex, it is in fine shape and made for solid drinking.  The magnum of 2007 Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol proved to be my favorite wine of the night.  It is a touch soft at first then opens up to plenty of clean, maturing flavors with an attractive mineral streak.  It even seemed racy for a bit. There is no mistaking the 2013 Damiani Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes for any other grape.  The aromas and flavors work in that lifted greenhouse or vegetal quality to good effect.  Actually, the wine is surprisingly packed with flavor.

1997 Argyle, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Alcohol 13.5%.  More stemmy flavors the fruit at this point but the lifted fruit is still there in the form of bright, dry red fruit.  It tastes a bit short of ripe fruit.  With enough interest for a small glass it is more remarkable for holding up this long.  * Now.

2001 Castello di Brolio, Chianti Classico
Imported by Paterno Wines International.  Alcohol 13.5%.  Surprisingly dark but on closer inspection there is a garnet hint on the edge.  In the mouth are dark red fruit flavors, polished wood, and unfortunately a touch of heat in the end.  The flavors are dry with a generally bright outlook.  There is even some structure.  Overall this is a very solid wine that is simply not too complex.  ** Now – 2018.

2007 Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol en magnum
Imported by Kermit Lynch.  This wine is a blend of 85% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache, and 5% Cinsault.  Alcohol 14%.  It is subtle for just a bit before the flavors accelerate through the mouth with a racy, mineral quality.  *** Now – 2018.

2013 Damiani Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes
This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 13.5%.  Fairly attractive nose of red and blue fruit marked by lifted greenhouse aromas.  The flavors bear the same vegetal hint but it works well with the fruit.  There is quite a bit of stuffing and freshness to make this enjoyable.  ** Now – 2017.

Another bottle from the 2009 vintage

Just a quick note before the holiday weekend.  With the warmer and more humid weather this week we have enjoyed several bottles of Chianti in an effort to turn towards lighter wines.  The 2009 Il Brunone, Chianti Classico is actually quite structured.  A structured, tannic wine can be the last thing I want to drink on a warm evening but this bottle bears rugged tannins.  They impart a youthful character and help the wine stand up to grilled cheeseburgers.  This wine is available at MacArthur Beverages.

2009 Il Brunone, Chianti Classico – $17
Imported bt Shaw-Ross International Importers.  This wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo that underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel, malolactic fermentation in cement vats, then was aged 12-18 months in large casks.  Alcohol 13.5%.  The dark fruited nose matched the slightly robust, dry flavors of dark fruit in the mouth.  This is a textured wine from the rugged tannins which provide a dry structure throughout.  The fruity component bears some weight before the dark, dry, and slightly bitter finish.  With air the wine turns a touch tart while also offering dry, floral flavors.  **(*) Now – 2019.

Affordable bottle age with the 2009 Dievole, Chianti Classico

There is good value to be had in Tuscany and the 2009 Dievole, Chianti Classico is one such example.  Hints of bottle age come out on the nose which is reflected in the moderately complex flavors which show best after an hour of air.  Priced at $13 per bottle this is a solid weekday wine which you may drink over the next few years.  This wine is available at MacArthur Beverages.

2009 Dievole, Chianti Classico – $13
Imported by Pasternak.  Alcohol 14.1%.  The nose smells mature with an attractive pencil lead aromas.  The moderate complexity continues in the mouth with dark cherry then dry black fruit.  There is a good balance between the tannins and juicy acidity.  This is a solid wine, grippy, with a dry finish that is perhaps a touch short.  **(*) Now – 2019.

A night of Sangiovese from young Napa to Chianti di Vecchia Annata

Lou and I gathered in his kitchen last week to drink through a range of Sangiovese based wines primarily focused in on Ruffino, Riserva Ducale.  We always start with a white wine but this time the bottle of 1999 Savary, Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume was drinking too advanced.  A few sips were fine for curiosity but I soon moved on.  I did not miss a beat in tasting (and drinking) the 2010 Carpineto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva.  After recently loving a bottle of 2010 Carpineto, Chianti Classico Riserva the Montepulciano did not disappoint.  Let me just say that this is a great wine which is already complex and will clearly develop over the next several years.  I would buy several to lay down.  I then moved on to the 1998 La Sirena, Sangiovese, Juliana Vineyard, Napa Valley.  This tasty wine will have broad appeal.  It is a hypothetical mix up of Sangiovese made in a Rhone style in California.  Perhaps this sounds bizarre but it will not after you knock back a glass or two.

1999 Savary, Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume
Imported by Kermit Lynch.  This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from 30 year old vines on Kimmeridgian Limestone that was fermented in stainless steel.  Alcohol 12.5%.  The attractive autumnal amber color looks quite mature which the nose confirms with fallen orchard fruit signaling the wine is past its peak.  The wine is younger in the mouth with hints of apple cider, fresh acidity, and nice tannins making for attractive grip.  There is even a citrus hint.  But with additional air I just can no longer get past the nose.  * Past.

2010 Carpineto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
Imported by Opici Wines. This wine is 90% Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero that was aged for over 2 years in oak. Alcohol 13.5%.  The nose is quite pretty and complex with leather and floral aromas.  This youthful wine has flavors of black fruit supported by structure and acidity.  There is a hint of minerality and an inky quality with a layer of red, floral flavors on top. It is even savory with a touch of fat in the aftertaste.  This is well balance for aging.  ***(*) Now – 2026.

1998 La Sirena, Sangiovese, Juliana Vineyard, Napa Valley
Alcohol 13.6%.    The robust nose offers up some roasty, toasty aromas in a style evocative of California.  The wine is drinking surprisingly well with a fruity, dense and rounded start.  The watering acidity moves the wine along as it takes on some glycerin for body and offers tart black fruit on the sides of the tongue.  It becomes softer with air with some dark cocoa flavors but it remains tasty.  A hypothetical Rhone-styled Sangiovese.  *** Now.

Our main flight of three wines was focused in on Ruffino in Chianti.  Founded in 1877, this estate did not produce their first Ducale Riserva until 1927.  The Ducale Riserva with the beige label is produced only in good vintages with the gold label only produced in the very best vintages.  The best grapes from estate vineyards are used for Ducale Riserva.  The gold label is a selection of the best lots of the beige label from the very best vintage and was first released in 1947.  The Riserva Ducale has appeared in American newspaper advertisements since at least 1960.  Over the subsequent decades, Ruffino was considered one of the best known names in Chianti with the Riserva Ducale Oro expensive but considered an age-worthy wine.  In this vein, A&A Wine & Spirits of Washington, DC, listed 11 vintages of Riserva Ducale Oro for sale in 1987.  From the 1977 at $23.99, their selection went back to the 1949 vintage at $199.99 per bottle.  Only the 1964 Biondi Santi, Riserva Il Greppo was more expensive at $399.99 per bottle.

The beige label spends three years in various vats and oak casks with the gold label spending at least four years in oak.  There was no gold label produced in 1961.  The 1961 and 1971 vintages are a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 10% Malvasia and Trebbiano, 5% Colorino, Ciliegiolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 1993 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7-8% Canaiolo, and 2-3% white grapes.

The gold label is interesting in that it is made with 6-10% governo.  Governo is a second fermentation caused by the addition of dried grapes, dried must, or concentrate.  The governo used for the gold label is based on grapes dried on mats for two months.  Ruffino feels it helps encourage malolactic fermentation.  The Wasserman’s are of the opinion that wines made with governo can actually age quite a long time, particularly the gold label.  Another example is the Chianti Classico of Monsanto which used governo until 1967.

Given our small sample set, it is impossible to draw any conclusions about the use of governo.  The Wasserman’s rated the 1961 vintage in Chianti a zero out of four stars with Michael Broadbent three stars out of five for Tuscany.  The Wasserman’s rated the 1971 vintage two out of four stars (commenting that the 1971 Ducale Oro was fading when tasted in 1989) and Michael Broadbent rated the vintage five out of five stars.

A general opinion appears to exist that Chianti, outside of the spaghetti joint flasks, does not age to extremes due to the large percentage of white grapes.  Our bottle of 1961 Ruffino, Ducale Beige, Chianti Riserva was certainly past prime.  I managed a few satisfactory swallows but there was nothing that could improve its state.  Perhaps the governo and the strong 1971 vintage worked together for the bottle of 1971 Ruffino, Ducale Oro, Chianti Classico Riserva kept supplying great glasses of wine all night long.  It smelled and tasted like old-school Italian wine with lively acidity and good weight to the flavors.  This bottle was clearly well-stored and I suggest that fans of old Barolo try out this Ducale Oro if you can find one.  Our final bottle of 1993 Ruffino, Ducale Oro, Chianti Classico Riserva was clearly a wine of a different era.  It did have attractive leather, vintage perfume, and a sweaty note but it did not have vibrant acidity, making it softer and more advanced than I would expect.  A solid bottle.  Based on my experience with the 1971 I will continue to carefully look for other old bottles of Chianti.

1993 Ruffino, Ducale Oro, Chianti Classico Riserva
Imported by Schieffelin & Somerset. Alcohol 13%.  The nose has some VA to it, mixing with hard cherry aromas that become grainier with air.  The wine is immediately softer in the mouth and more advanced than I would expect.  This mature bottle sports tart cherry, leather, and vintage perfume flavors.  It has weight and an attractive sweaty component.  I keep thinking it is softer than it should be.  ** Now.

1971 Ruffino, Ducale Oro, Chianti Classico Riserva
Imported by T. Elenteny. Alcohol 12.5%.  The good nose remains aromatic with mature, old-school aromas reminiscent of Italy.  The vibrant, acidity driven start shows good weight to the red fruit with good presence in the mouth.  There are ripe, dusty tannins in the aftertaste where a citric grip returns.  The wine responds well to air taking on a persistent flavor of old-school perfume.  The fruit is dry but there are no hints of raisins (from the governo).  *** Now but will last.

1961 Ruffino, Ducale Beige, Chianti Riserva
Imported by T. Elenteny Imports. Alcohol 12.8%.  The nose is full of roast earth indicating the wine is past its prime.  In the mouth is good, edgy acidity with a core of dense, old fruit.  It is more of a core of tired fruit that tastes old by the end.  There is some menthol.  Drinkable as a relic. * Past.

A Youthful Tuscan

In this post, David Bloch suggests an affordable and age-worthy Chianti Classico from the great 2010 vintage.

2010 Castello dei Rampolla, Chianti Classico
I have been drinking Sammarco (and the occasional bottle of d’Alceo) from Castello dei Rampolla for close to twenty years but never had the Chianti Classico. I came across some bottles and given the producer and strength of the vintage, I figured this was a no brainer. This a very dark and brooding Chianti. Dark, almost bitter berry and overripe cherry notes. Earth. Terribly young and undeveloped. The wine needs another three or four years to blossom but there can be little doubt it will be worth the wait. I paid around $20. If I come across the wine again, I would buy a few more bottles and look forward to 2020.

A Spring Assortment of Lovely Wines to Drink or Age

David Bloch returns with a trio of enticing wines.

2008 Rocca di Castagnoli, Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio A’Frati
One sip of this wine and you know it is from Tuscany.   Very young and tight.  Decanted for two hours and the wine blossomed.  This is a deep and dark Chianti.  Classic Sangiovese notes of tobacco.  On the black fruit spectrum for sure.  Some dirt and soil too, adding complexity.  Licorice and some floral elements.  I liked the acidity that is hidden behind all the fruit and tannins.  This wine will reward another 3-5 years of cellaring and drink well for a long, long time.

2013 Château Guiraud, Le G, Bordeaux
I drink a fair amount of this wine vintage after vintage.  The 2013 seems to be at the point of needing to be consumed.  Not that this wine can’t age a bit, but I like the pungent aspects of the cepage and the freshness that this wine demonstrates now.  Plenty of Sauvignon character.  Indeed, cut grass and an herbal nose and palate masks the Semillon initially.  Blind I would have said Sancerre.  Then the wine becomes more round in the mouth and midpalate where the Semillon provides some citrus and tropical fruit notes that makes you want to take another sip.  A half bottle was put back in the fridge after lunch on Saturday and finished before dinner on Sunday.  The wine showed great the next day and should not be consumed too cold.

2001 Domaine de la Charbonnière, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Mourre des Perdrix
Decanted off some sediment for about two hours.  Classic traditional CdP.  The nose was great.  Flowers and spice and dark fruits.  The wine had great texture and again, plenty of spice, raspberry, dark cherry and some peppery notes in the mouth.  Really long finish.  This 2001 has performed beautifully and is quite mature.  I was a little concerned when I encountered a spongy cork but the wine was a real beauty.  I also have had the Vieilles Vignes several times from this vintage.  I think the blend (70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah) yielded a more interesting and complex wine than the primarily old vine Grenache cuvee.  This wine will keep in a cool cellar for many more years but if you own a few enjoy one now.

A trio of excellent 2010 Chianti Classico

By all accounts the 2010 vintage in Chianti Classico was uneven but it did produce some stunning wines.  For this post I asked Tim to recommend several of these wines priced at or below $20.  After trying all three wines I am quite excited.  The 2010 Carpineto, Chianti Classico Riserva tilts towards the red fruit spectrum.  The weighty flavors are pleasing now but there is a depth and structure which will allow even more flavor with age.   The 2010 Podere il Palazzino, Argenina, Chianti Classico is attractively dark fruited and flavorful but also the tightest.  While the flavors are there it really needs a year or two for the structure to integrate more.   Finally, the 2010 Fattoria Rodano, Chianti Classico is the most forward of the three.  It combines dark cherry flavors, minerals, and an earthy note.  The last bottle I tried was singing so it took all of my self-control to leave some for the second night.  I recommend you stock up on all three of these wines!  These wines are available at MacArthur Beverages.

2010 Carpineto, Chianti Classico Riserva – $20
Imported by Opici Wines.  This wine is 100% Sangiovese that was aged in oak for over one year.  Alcohol 13.5%.  The red fruit aromas mix with some meat.  In the mouth it is primarily red fruit that comes through.  The wine has a certain thickness which matches the bright acidity.  The wine has weight on the tongue, leaving ripe and textured tannins on the gums.  It already has more depth but really calls for further development.  With air the cool fruit takes on earth, orange-red hints, and even a suggestion of maturity.  ***(*) Now – 2026.

2010 Podere il Palazzino, Argenina, Chianti Classico – $17
Imported by de Grazia Imports.  This wine is 100% Sangiovese that was fermented in stainless steel then aged in small oak casks.  Alcohol 14.5%.  The low-lying, dark nose is outmatched by the ample flavors in the mouth.  The dark fruit begins with rounded edges and watering acidity before it firms up through a dose of drying tannins.  There are hints of sweet fruit at the beginning followed by tart, black fruit in the finish.  Though flavorful, this wine could really use a year or two of age.  *** Now – 2021.

2010 Fattoria Rodano, Chianti Classico – $17
Imported by Enotec Imports.  This wine is 100% Sangiovese that was aged for over two years in large Slavonian casks.  Alcohol 14.5%.  Meaty aromas make way to deep flavor in this young but accessible wine.  The dark cherry, mineral flavors mix with ripe, textured, and drying tannins.  The flavors turn blacker and more mineral towards the finish which is a little aggressive.  This attractive, mouthfilling wine even takens on an earthy hint.  *** Now – 2021.

Delightful Italian wines priced from $18 to $24

I may spend my nights dreaming about old bottles of wine but I typically spend the evenings before drinking young wines.  Most recently I have focused in on Italian wines.  What can I write but that the group featured in today’s post is thoroughly enjoyable with a few wines exciting.  The most approachable wines are the 2006 Castello D’Alboa, Chianti Classico Riserva and the 2013 Tua Rita, Rosso Dei Notri, Tuscany.  This is a contrasting pair for the former is a traditional, restrained Chianti and the later is a forward, almost-strapping Super Tuscan.  Straddling the line between a current drinker and one for the cellar is the 2007 D’Angelo, Caselle, Aglianico del Vulture.  It exhibits an attractive mix of savory flavors, minerals, and spices.  Two Rosso di Montalcino priced around $20 per bottle deserve a place in your wine rack. The 2012 Caparzo, Rosso di Montalcino and the 2013 Rodolfo Cosini, Terra Rossa, Rosso di Montalcino. Worthy of slumbering in your cellar is the 2013 Montevetrano, Core, Campania.  Though completely shut down on the first night, this wine eventually releases complex aromas and minerally, black fruit in the mouth.  These wines are available at MacArthur Beverages.

2006 Castello D’Albola, Chianti Classico Riserva – $24
Imported by Zonin. Alcohol 13%.  The slightly meaty aromas of red fruit revealed a shy hint of maturity.  In the mouth the blacker fruit firmed up with air.  This traditional wine has a gentle flavor, watering acidity, and a firm existence.  It is less ripe, instead the cherry flavors match the tannins that take hold of the inside of the gums.  This will never be lush, instead always lithe.  *** Now – 2023.

2007 D’Angelo, Caselle, Aglianico del Vulture – $24
Imported by  Grappoli Imports.  Alcohol 13%.  The savory, weighty start brought forth blacker fruits that build up levels of spices and minerals until lipsticky, red fruit came out.  The cool seamless acidity is matched by drying tannins from the start, wrapping up with citric notes on the gums.  Strong potential here.  ***(*) Now -2025.

2012 Caparzo, Rosso di Montalcino – $19
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This wine is 100% Sangiovese aged for 1 year in Slavonian oak casks.   Alcohol 13.5%.  The deep, fruity aromas on the nose are followed by the young and strong flavors in the mouth.  The fruit is surrounded by ripe tannins, at first showing more forward black fruit and minerals but with air the wine becomes more structured.  It clearly shows dark potential with both integrated acidity and tannins.  Strong potential.  *** Now – 2015.

2013 Montevetrano, Core, Campania – $23
Imported by Winebow.  This wine is 100% Anglianico that was fermented in stainless steel then aged for 10 months in oak barriques.  Alcohol 13.5%.  After much air the nose oscillates between leather and earthy aromas to a little sweaty, complex bitters aromas.  In the mouth the young wine eventually released minerally, black fruit, dry structure, and an engaging mix of liquor and wood in the finish.  Will be quite good but needs time to show its best.  ***(*) 2018-2028.

2013 Rodolfo Cosini, Terra Rossa, Rosso di Montalcino – $21
Imported by Enotec.  This wine is 100% Sangiovese that spent one year in medium oak barrels.  Alcohol 13.5%.  There were hints of leather on the nose followed by riper, more extracted flavors in the mouth.  More potent in the mouth there are hints of cream and polished wood.  Overall this exhibits more minerality than fruit.  *** Now – 2025.

2013 Tua Rita, Rosso Dei Notri, Tuscany – $18
Imported by Winebow.  This wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged for three months in both stainless steel tanks and barriques.  Alcohol 14%.  There are good, fruity flavors of licorice and a bit of red fruit supported by black fruit.  The ripe flavors are moderated by puckering acidity on the tongue tip that morphs into a hind of modern, creamy, roundness in the finish.  The drier finish brings out baking spices, and a camphor-like aftertaste.  Overall, this wine has a youthful fruit profile with enough concentration to develop for a few years.  *** Now – 2022.

Good value Chianti Classico from Podere Il Palazzino

Just a quick post for today to let you know I am still drinking wine despite spending vast amounts of time researching and writing.  The 2010 Podere Il Palazzino, Argenina, Chianti Classico is made from fruit sourced from vineyards with more clay.  These soils and upbringing result in a brighter wine.  This vintage certainly was but it still has a definite structure.  It is a good wine but I would spend the extra $2 for the 2007 Podere Il Palazzino, La Pieve, Chianti Classico Riserva.  The fruit for this wine comes from vines located on stones and sandy soils.  With a deep, meaty nose and expansive flavors infused with herbs there is a lot to like about this wine.  I did enjoy drinking it but the wine is young and best left to age.  It is a good wine for the price and one that deserves to be in your cellar or fridge.  These wines were purchased at MacArthur Beverages.

2010 Podere Il Palazzino, Argenina, Chianti Classico – $17
Imported by deGrazia Imports.  This wine is a Sangiovese blend that is fermented in stainless steel then aged in small oak casks.  There was a subtle nose of dark fruits.  In the mouth there were black fruit flavors tinged with minerals.  The ripe middle became drier towards the finish.  The wine had a lighter framed structure with drying tannins.  ** Now-2018.

2007 Podere Il Palazzino, La Pieve, Chianti Classico Riserva – $19
Imported by deGrazia Imports.  This wine is a Sangiovese blend that is fermented in concrete vats then aged for 18 months in oak barriques.  The nose was more meaty with plum and hints of raisins.  In the mouth were deep, meaty black fruit flavors whose dryness matched the very fine, drying tannins. The wine was riper at first then became drier with extended air.  There were ample notes of herbs and roast before the expansive finish and aftertaste.  Lots of herbs!  **(*) Now-2020.