2010 Chianti Classico's and a couple of others

Chris H's home
Tasted Wednesday, November 19, 2014 - Thursday, November 20, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 545 views

Introduction

Last night my tasting group met. Our theme was 2010 Chianti Classico. The wines were consumed blind over the course of a couple of hours. Breads and cheeses were served along side. Most of the wines were pop and pour (except the Felsina). I think Chianti Classico is such a great area. There is value here. There are also expensive wines that need to be cellared. And, I think Chianti does cellar better than most people would think. This is a vintage that I will be putting a bunch of wines away for a decade or more as I did in 97, 01, 04 and 07.

Its a funny thing though, this is a wine not to open with non-geeks. Usually, it is the more expensive wines that casual wine drinkers just don't really appreciate, but in the case of Chianti, everyone knows the name, but casual drinkers seem to associate it with low quality. They don't always get the difference between and Chianti at $6 and a Classico Riserva at $30 just by the label.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Uvaggio (L'Uvaggio di Giacomo) Moscato Secco Bella Vigna Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

    (11/19/2014)

    Light gold in color. The nose is interesting. Someone said Torrontes which made sense. It has grapefruits, tangerines and pine(?). On the palate, a lot of tart yellow grapefruit. There is a bit of an industrial quality that comes and goes. Overall though a very nice white that I bet was better a year or two ago but is holding up better than I might have thought.

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Flight 2 (8 Notes)

  • 2010 Antinori Chianti Classico Pèppoli 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries and menthol. Juicy cherries on the palate. There is some depth, but this was the simplest on the table, but not in a bad way. Happy to drink this and I think it should be good for 7 to 10.

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  • 2010 Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna La Prima 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    The first wine I can remember carrying the Gran Selezione designation that I have tried. It is still quite young and in need of time. The nose is tight. Revisiting later in the night shows cherries, dark cherries, and some cedar. It is both thinner while being more tannic than most of the wines at the table. There is plenty of fruit so I think a few years in the cellar will do this good. More of a black cherry profile. My first time trying this winery.

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  • 2010 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    This was love it or hate it. It was my WOTN, but not so for the group who had it second last despite two first place votes. Many found it too tannic. I also think it is more of a dark cherry profile than cherries so perhaps no coincidence that the two of us who had it first and not huge fans of Pinot Noir. The nose has dark cherries, pine, spice and is quite tight. Hugely tannic right now, this wine needs cellar time. This bottle had been open for 8 hours and allowed to breath which was not enough time. It is tightly would but there are layers of complexity. Rich black cherry fruit on the palate. I loved the wine now, but its best days are ahead.

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  • 2010 Castello Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 87 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    People love to trash this winery. They make a lot of wine and I find most of it solid and respectable wines for the price. At under $20, this provides some nice value for a wine to bring home and drink. The nose is simple with cherries. Soft and accessible on the palate. The least acidity of any wine, but enough to work with food. Nice cherries. Clean. No faults. Certainly a step or two above boring.

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  • 2010 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    From a 375. This is very tight and took a while to open. The nose is dusty with cherries and some anise. Tart yet jammy cherries on the palate. There is some initial warming on the finish. Over the evening this seemed to open and show more complexity. Needs time.

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  • 2010 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    Another wine that people seem to dismiss because it is so ubiquitous. More than solid, this was outstanding. The nose is very tight on opening. With air it shows cherries and sandalwood. Perhaps some menthol too. On the palate, lots of tannins. Dusty, juicy cherries and some spice. Nice backbone of acidity. Needs a couple of years I think but drinking well today.

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  • 2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/20/2014)

    Really outstanding. This was my #2 and the groups WOTN. It is shut down initially, but with air, this has cherries, dark cherries, black licorice and spice. Full bodied. Tightly layered with a lot of depth. Needs five years IMO. Black cherries and tannins. great texture.

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  • 2010 Podere il Palazzino Chianti Classico Argenina 88 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    I have not had this before, I am more familiar with the Grosso Senese. The nose has a slight funk/barnyard on it. Not sure if it is brett or not, but not something I often find in Chianti. Also some thin cherries. On the palate, more black cherries. Not much complexity but it drinks fine. Nice acidity. I would drink in the first five years anyway if not right away as I doubt it gets better.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 1997 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    (11/19/2014)

    Really nice showing. I opened this, bought on release and stored by me, to show that Chianti does age well. This worked out great. Still purple in color with ruby at the rim. The nose has cherries, some fennel and some old furniture qualities. On the palate, this does not drink old, but also does not show a lot of age. Slight tannins. Plenty of cherry and dark cherry fruit left. Nice bright acidity. Some layers of complexity. Long finish. Based on this bottle, while it may not improve much, no hurry either.

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  • 2009 Giovanni Chiappini Bolgheri Superiore Guado de' Gemoli 95 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    (11/19/2014)

    This was apparently a Wine Enthusiast 100 point wine. I might not go that high, but it is clearly a very special wine. My first time trying it. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, dark cherries, chocolate, and spice. Full bodied. Lush texture. This seems like it is drinking well today, but no hurry either. still in its youthful exuberance stage. Showing a nice complexity. Reminds more of a California Cab/Merlot blend than Italy or old world. Very smooth and lush. Great wine.

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Closing

Thanks Chris for hosting!

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