Wineflock - Chianti Classico Riserva

Sat down for a blind (as usual) tasting of Chianti Classico Riserva from the recent top vintages of 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2004. I had no expectations for this tasting as I do not know the wines at all so I looked forward to it as an educational experience. As usual with wines like these that have a very distinctive profile that we don't tend to taste every day, the group was all over the board. I found myself pretty consistent, breaking a final tie for first between the two duplicated 04 Fontodi Del Sorbas. I was also interested to see that my third favorite (so top three) was also the 97 del Sorba - so there is clear stylistic preference here for me. Where I was the outlier from the group, I generally still felt good about my assessments, which is always good.

Bottom line is that I won't be rushing out to stockpile Chianti Classico Riservas, but I would be quite glad to enjoy one with food any time.

• 1985 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Medium soft crimson color. Medium cherry nose with rose notes. Very spice black pepper and red fruit on the palate. Nice and mature.

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• 1988 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Full coffee crimson color. Clean shy aroma of red fruit. Medium tannic structured red/black fruit with tannin on the finish. Others definitely liked this better than me.

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• 2004 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #8, My #10 - Not sure why this bottle didn't show better for what it was, but just seemed soft, simple, and overripe to me. Full soft red color. Full spicy black fruit with a licorice and raisin note. Big black tannic fruit on the palate but with a simple roasted note.

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• 1997 Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #6, My #8 - Full coffee red color. Pale cherry nose with briar and a dusty note. Chewy juicy red fruit with a firm but round tannic finish. Hints of tar.

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• 2004 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Duplicate bottles with the higher scoring seeing more time in decanter...
  
  Bottle C - Group #4, My #1 - Full red color. Medium bright red fruit with some green / mint notes. Nice juicy black cherry with good round structure - nice black fruit, rose, and graphite. Still very young, this could become really nice. 93+ pts.
  
  Bottle H - Group #1, My #2 - Full deep red color. Full bright clean black and red currant nose - lifted. Nice structured rich deep black fruit with a chocolate note and a mouthcoating tannic finish. Young. 93+ pts.

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• 1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #9, My #3 - Full deep soft red color with some lightening. Bright slightly hot briar black fruit with licorice hints on the nose. Big mouthful of juicy black fruit with a floral note and a long structured chewy finish. Just a hint of sweetness to the fruit.

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• 1997 Antinori Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #10, My #6 - Full soft red with lightening. Pale soft red currant nose with floral rose notes. Medium full cherry red fruit with a medium firm finish.

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• 1997 Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Castello di Fonterutoli 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #2, My #7 - Full red color with crimson edges. Spicy red fruit with licorice hints and a hint of heat and acidity. Medium juicy slightly pale black fruit with a chewy tannic finish. Upgraded this a point after some air.

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• 2000 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #5, My #4 - Medium soft red color with crimson edges. Nice sweet red cherry with black fruit and spice notes. Interesting black spicy juicy fruit with a tight finish. 91-92 pts.

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• 1997 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #7, My #5 - Medium red with garnet edges. Nice spicy red currant fruit nose with a hint of licorice. Full dustry tannic black fruit with a perfumed and coffee note.

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• 2001 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Badia a Passignano 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Group #3, My #9 - Full deep red/black color. Medium black currant nose - clean - with a slight coffee hint. Rich black fruit with a slight canned ripe note. Somewhat hot tannic finish. Not sure what the others found here that I missed...

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