Florence & Tuscan Holiday
Florence & Tuscany
Tasted Monday, May 9, 2011 - Monday, May 16, 2011 by ikileo with 1,269 views
Introduction
My girlfriend and I spent a week in Florence and Tuscany on holiday. The focus was on the food and wine where we ate at delicious location and visited wineries (mostly from Chianti Classico). There were numerous other wines not recorded online as they were house wines poured from mystery chianti flasks.
Flight 1 - Day 1: Florence (2 Notes)
Aperitivo at the Frescobaldi Wine Bar before heading out to Il Santo Bevitore for dinner.
Had my first taste of Lardo and loved it.
Flight 2 - Day 2: Florence (3 Notes)
Mega protein dinner at Trattoria Sostanza. My first Vernaccia. A shame that we didn't let the Chianti Classico Riserva breathe a lot more, but it was very delicious even at infancy.
Flight 3 - Day 3: Florence (1 Note)
The solo bottle at our dinner at Trattoria 4 Leoni. The low point of our wine adventures.
Flight 4 - Day 4: Chianti Classico - Castello di Montsanto (3 Notes)
I had wanted to visit this place after tasting their 2001 Il Poggio Riserva 3 years ago and was blown away by it. A wonderful and beautiful estate with an amazing cellar. We were the only visitors because they initially had to cancel my appointment due to an event in their castle later in the afternoon and evening. It was reserved by some German insurance company, go figure.
Their NEMO was a beast even after 12 years but delicious. Their Chardonnay has converted me back into trying Chardonnay.
Flight 5 - Day 4: Chianti Classico - Isole e Olena (6 Notes)
Paolo's wife, Marta, hosted us that day and she was delightful. Their Cepparello was stunning and complex. Lots of skill and passion here in Isole e Olena. Apparently their Vin Santo is made in a 'non-vintage' style where they blend various vintages. We also got to taste a wine from their Piedmont estate. There was an older couple visiting as well from Canada where the husband is a certified but not practicing sommelier; good conversations ensued.
Flight 6 - Day 4: Chianti Classico - Dinner at Osteria de Panzanelle (1 Note)
Highly recommended online and from a couple (they own an estate in Chianti Classico) I met at a tasting in Singapore. Drank from a half bottle: very satisfying Chianti Classico
Flight 7 - Day 5: Montalcino - Biondi Santi (2 Notes)
I was excited to visit the legendary winery but was left wanting more. Was first given an relatively negative (and honest) opinion of the estate from our host in Castello di Monsanto (apparently her husband works in Banfi). At Biondi Santi we were hosted by Lauren, originally from New York. Other participants came from Denmark and South American. The Riserva was solid and delicious but the wines we sampled that day were not life changing. Given the pedigree and amount I paid, Biondi Santi needed to be life changing.
Flight 8 - Day 5: Montalcino - Lunch in Sant Angelo in Colle & Dinner in Montalcino (3 Notes)
After Biondi Santi we had a delicious lunch in the small quiet town of Sant Angelo in Colle at Il Leccio. We had a delicious quaffer from the half bottle of Banfi Rosso.
We had an early dinner at the Fortezza Enoteca in Montalcino. I bought a '97 Salicutti Brunello, my most expensive wine purchase yet. The Soldera Riserva I tasted, now that was life changing.
Flight 9 - Day 6: Chianti Classico - Castello di Ama (4 Notes)
After figuring out where their office was and how to park the tour was underway. There was a French family going for the tour but not the tasting (that cost more). Ama had beautiful contemporary art specially commissioned on the estate due to the passion of wine and art from the owners. We were treated to a private tasting and some charcuterie and cheeses. The quality of Ama was very impressive, very refined and elegant; almost like a 'French Chianti Classico'
Flight 10 - Day 6: Chianti Classico - Felsina Beradenga (10 Notes)
Located just at the edge of the border of Chianti Classico, Felsina makes some great wine. I loved it's consistency of quality throughout its range. Their delicious oaked chardonnay and fruity sauvignon blanc was a great starter. Their Rancia and Fontalloro was delicious and I had a difficult time choosing between the two as my fave!
We visited their estate, cellars and even said hi to their hunting and truffle dogs! Saw a secret stash of bottles in the corner of their packaging room. Apparently the owner is experimenting with a Metodo Classico Spumante since the 2010 vintage; not for the market yet.
Flight 11 - Day 7: Florence (2 Notes)
Dinner with friend's family and other friend. The 8 of us dined at La Giostra. Predominently Tuscan on the menu with some Germanic influences due to the owner. Liked the food, not too hot on the interior. Wine selection was great though. The first two bottles of Chianti Classico were delicious but fell short of the 07 vintage I had tasted.
Tasting of the Syrah a second time this week, now more opened, was exciting as it really showed the quality and concentration of this Tuscan Syrah.
Flight 12 - Day 8: Florence (1 Note)
Lunch at Mercado Centrale (Central Market). They forgot our order but we had discretely poured out the American wine into the drinking glasses and enjoyed it while waiting for the food. Very delicious and good wine that really needs the air. What a way to end the holiday: with some American Love!
Closing
The DOCG regulation for 80% Sangiovese and the remaining 20% can be whatever the winemaker likes really gives Chianti Classico wines a full spectrum and styles and flavours. I enjoyed all the winery visits as they each had something different to bring to the table. Monsanto had a beautiful cellar, estate and wines that matched my anticipation. I could see the hardcore seriousness and passion in Isole. The heritage of Biondi Santi was clear in its history and quality. Ama was one of the most unique with its contemporary art exhibits and stellar wine while i was impressed Felsina single minded purpose in making consistently good and great wines across their range of products.
The most favourite was a tie between the two castellos: Monsanto and Ama while the least favourite was Biondi Santi. While it was great, it somehow didn't live up to the expectation. The rest were stellar.
2005 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Trento Brut
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Trento
(5/9/2011)
Poured by the glass at Frescobaldi Wine Bar in Florence. Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero.
Nose: Yeasty bready nose with hints of tropical fruit
Taste: Crisp but with some nice weighted body. Good balance of fruit and minerality. A lovely sparkling wine with some finesse.
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2007 Fontodi Chianti Classico
Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
(5/9/2011)
Popped and poured. Drank over 3 hours.
Nose: A little tight on the start but when it opened up, boy oh boy, was this one concentrated young Chianti Classico. Black fruit, tar, earth notes and the typical iron/blood notes. Lots of depth and power.
Taste: Still very young and definitely a good representation of the 2007 vintage for Chianti Classico. Good concentration of fruit with a beautiful tannin structure and well balanced. Need to find more of this. Paired very well with the range of Italian dishes ranging from Lardo to Guinea Fowl.
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