Community Tasting Note

Saturday, June 26, 2021 - This feels a bit too sexy; some dusty chocolate truffle powder, black cherry pie, and smoke on the nose. You can sense the quality of the fruit and even perceive the dusty, earthy quality of the Sangiovese character underneath, but it comes across as veiled in too much ripeness and oak.

The structure is actually quite good. There's a lot of chalky mouthcoating tannin and fresh acidity that demonstrates pedigree and aging potential, yet it just has the sensation of a beautiful wine wearing too much makeup. Certainly appeals to someone seeking a certain experience - especially for the price - but I prefer my Chianti purer and more transparent.

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6 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Pietro G.:

7/5/2021 8:48:00 AM - I think this an example that Chianti Classico can be a serious wine, and I think it really expresses the terror in Panzano. If you ever try any Chianti Classico from Rampolla, you'd know what I am talking about.
Comment posted by blackbrownbeige:

7/5/2021 10:22:00 AM - I think the idea that a wine has to be rich and oaked to be "serious" is what led many producers to change their winemaking style for the worse over the past ~25 years. I reject the idea, and while it may be others' preference, it's certainly not mine.
Comment posted by Pietro G.:

7/5/2021 10:26:00 AM - Well, this is not the case for this particular producer.
I rarely taste any oak on their Classico. I think it is all used OAK that comes from their GS and Flaccianello.
Anyway, have you had any Rampolla's wines ?
Comment posted by Sheriff JW:

8/26/2021 3:33:00 AM - Love the note and it’s very much inline with my thoughts! If possible, would appreciate you suggesting a couple of your fav Chianti producers to try!
Cheers 🍷
Comment posted by joostentamara:

10/16/2021 7:18:00 AM - I totally agree with Blackbrownbeige. My information is that this wine is aged in barrique for 24 months. That overwhelms the nice material.
I agree with Pietro G that Chianti can be a great wine. There are many examples of that but don't make it too heavy.
For me the quality of Chianti is in the fruit flavours, its fine structure and freshness which makes there is an exciting tension. This makes these wines tremendous to enjoy with tomato based pasta dishes or simple beef dishes (tagliata with rucola and lemonjuice! ).
Comment posted by Pietro G.:

2/14/2022 2:11:00 PM - Mostly used Troncais and Allier barrels for 18 months.