January 4, 2016 - A blend of Sangiovese (85%) with the remaining 15% rounded out with Canaiolo and other grapes. Aged for 2 years in botti casks.
Surprisingly dark and almost fully opaque cherry red color with a developed maroon color towards the rim. Quite tertiary bouquet with aromas of wizened red plums, dried figs, dusty earth, some sweet black cherries, a little bit of raisiny tones, hints of developed savory spices and a touch of tobacco. The wine is developed, full-bodied and silky on the palate with rich, complex flavors of black cherries, some sweet tertiary tones of pruney and marmaladey fruits, a little bit of sweet smoke, light dusty earth tones, a hint of tobacco and a touch of dried dates. The wine is moderately high in acidity, lending good sense of structure to the wine - which is nice, since the tannins feel fully resolved, round and mellow at this point. The finish is lengthy, sweet-toned and quite tertiary with complex flavors of sunny dark fruits, some raisiny character, a little bit of dried dates, light dusty earth tones, a hint of pipe tobacco and a touch of balancing sour cherry bitterness.
A very classic and wonderfully evolved Chianti Classico that's peaking right now. The tannins have fully resolved, contributing only to the silky texture of the wine, but the acidity is still wonderfully there, keeping the wine nicely together. The flavors are evolved to the point they are turning to sweet, marmaladey fruit tones and raisiny characteristics, but the wine still retains its Sangiovese identity of dusty earthy notes and sour cherry bitterness. With its fresh yet rather soft mouthfeel and flavors declined to sweetness, this wine might not be the easiest one to pair with food, but it certainly is a treat on its own. Very lovely.
November 23, 2015 - (Mag) This was also double-decanted, and showed beautifully. Black cherries, dried cherry, leather and just a hint of coffee. Subtle tannins remain, nice acids, good showing. A-/B+
April 13, 2015 - Ancora di un bel color granato vivissimo, ferro, sangue, richiami mentolati e di melagrana, selvatico
October 11, 2014 - Home made pizza night! A nice excuse to pull out an 19y Tuscan. This was an impromptu selection, the wine was removed from the wine fridge at 56C and popped with only half hour to breathe.
Regrettably this wine is showing its age when forced out into the open like this. Very closed on the nose and palate at first, muted fruit, tartness. The tannins almost entirely nonexistent at this stage. About 45 min after opening, as the wine approached room temp, the fruit flavors developed greater intensity, mostly cherry. Aromas of alcohol and faint berry on the nose now, about an hour after opening. This tasted very nice with the pepperoni, mushroom, and onion pizza but I'm afraid the wine wouldn't have shown well without food. This bottle at least was a bit over the hill, but not unpleasantly so.
A different story on day two, this has devolved and lost all complexity. Now all that remains is sour cherry and acid. One bottle left in my cellar and it's time to drink up.
June 27, 2014 - Quite a surprise since I've never tasted 19y Tuscan wine and had no idea what to expect. Medium body, cherry and leather, fully integrated tannin, paired well with duck.
June 19, 2014 - Lighter and more refined than the -95 M. Riserva but some odd flavours, I am not sure about this bottle, slightly corked? A shame.
July 3, 2013 - A completely different beast than the 750 I previously opened. This wine has youthful, black cherry fruit, a nose of pencil lead, minerals and leather. Not nearly OTT as this stage, the wine is drinking beautifully and went very well with Wagyu beef.
June 23, 2013 - Slightly maderized and smelling mostly of pencil lead. It lacked the aromatic complexity that I expect from this producer and shows signs of some heat damage earlier in its lifetime. Too bad.
May 26, 2013 - da Magnum. E' il più "selvatico" della bevuta. Tratti ferrosi ed ematici con sottofondo animalesco accompagnano una bocca un po' scarna
April 30, 2013 - Mature and classic, dried cherry fruit with leather and smoke. Tannins resolved, acids still lively, fruit still fruitful. Some forest floor/mushroom with time, but holds up well over couple hours. A-