After a cork failure, I had to sift through the debris to find a light purple wine that is nearly see-through. The nose has pencil lead, plums, sour cherries. The palate is somewhat lighter than I imagined, cherry being the prime player here. There is a certain amount of garigue I sense in addition to mushroom and leather. The acidity is slightly overpowering the mild tannins, but I don’t mind. It has a nice cut to it. The astringency hits on the finish, where the tannic dryness grips the gums. I would say the fruit has really taken a back seat here. Drink till 2021 with pasta, pizza or charcuterie. 88 points and 3 stars from me for this $15 wine.
Smells of herb and a hint of floral - nice. In the mouth, plum and cherry and dusty fine tannins. A restrained style, medium weight, with a clear personality but not showy at all. Decant 3h — shows much better after that.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Day 1- good middle but had a sour/bitter finish. Day 2- more fruit in the middle and the finish was longer and smoother. Not the best CCR but it works well with food, for $10 it OK.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyable budget priced Chianti Classico Riserva. Dusty, dry with fruit having receded to the background. Best with food. I would probably guess it's getting towards the end of its drinking window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good bargain Chianti classico. Many have commented on its nice smooth taste. That smooth taste does come at a cost imho. There is a lack of acidity that I do look for in a Chianti when pairing with tomato sauce- based Italian dishes. With some additional air time, the acidity did improve a bit. Still, for $10, I can't complain.
Dark ruby color but short of opaque. Red rose and red cherry flavors from nose to finish. The acid and tannin are good enough to keep the wine fairly dry. Decently enjoyable with food. But disappointingly lacking in richness and lushness, especially for a Chianti Riserva.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Russk. Solid ChCR. Bought from Costco with a different label, showing a buffalo. No faults. Nicely balanced. Medium bodied. Savory. Nose of chestnut wood and vanilla. Improved over 4 days going to 90+. Get a couple more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Muted nose. Dark cherries, mushroom, spices on the palate. Fleshy, open modern style of chianti. Tasty but the body is a little out of balance and the finish is modest. Drink up.
Kinda of weak this time less nose and but still nice color ... had with stir fry close to end of life for this bottle window was suppose to be to 2019 but must drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/16/2024 - booksmiths Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine is at its peak for me. Perfect with Italian sausage, onions, peppers and baby potatoes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2021 - Cool_Hand_Luke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank with homemade Beef Bolognese with pasta and garlic bread...Perfection!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2021 - Cool_Hand_Luke Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely delightful! Drank with crostini, with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, and olives.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2021 - caspernick Likes this wine: 88 Points
After a cork failure, I had to sift through the debris to find a light purple wine that is nearly see-through. The nose has pencil lead, plums, sour cherries. The palate is somewhat lighter than I imagined, cherry being the prime player here. There is a certain amount of garigue I sense in addition to mushroom and leather. The acidity is slightly overpowering the mild tannins, but I don’t mind. It has a nice cut to it. The astringency hits on the finish, where the tannic dryness grips the gums. I would say the fruit has really taken a back seat here. Drink till 2021 with pasta, pizza or charcuterie. 88 points and 3 stars from me for this $15 wine.
https://caspernick.com/2018/10/25/castellani-chianti-classico-riserva-docg-2012-tuscany-italy/
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2020 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 88 Points
Better than previous bottles. Other have come across as exceedingly simple but this had a bit more going on; cherry, herb/mint, touch of earth.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2020 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 86 Points
As before, simple and... simple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2020 - JuliannaDHS wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing. Rather simple and lacking depth. No '15 magic here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2020 - soumamae Likes this wine: 89 Points
Smells of herb and a hint of floral - nice. In the mouth, plum and cherry and dusty fine tannins. A restrained style, medium weight, with a clear personality but not showy at all.
Decant 3h — shows much better after that.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2019 - NX7U wrote: 89 Points
Not bad, but nothing special.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2019 - joesi16 wrote:
Day 1- good middle but had a sour/bitter finish. Day 2- more fruit in the middle and the finish was longer and smoother. Not the best CCR but it works well with food, for $10 it OK.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2019 - sdwineguru wrote: 87 Points
(Sangiovese) 2012 Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva $13. Mid-garnet, brick edges; old world, smoke, pine, pomegranate, strawberry nose; light-mid body; balanced; softening acids; easy drinking smooth finish; a little hot (13.0 alc.). Pasta wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2019 - amflinn wrote: 88 Points
Consumed over two nights. Dusty soft fruit, tannins fully resolved. Improves with air and very nice on the second night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2019 - RussK wrote: 89 Points
Russk. A touch thin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2019 - amflinn wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was in better shape than the bottle I consumed in February. More fruit present and round. Definitely improves with a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2019 - Bin707LoversDetroit Likes this wine: 88 Points
Toasty, oaky, friendly. We like, it. A soft example- not harsh- not bold- of Chianti Riserva.
Not complex or evolving much over nearly two hours open... That's sad. The finish was not long.
But we feel it's a solid B+ effort.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2019 - amflinn wrote: 87 Points
Enjoyable budget priced Chianti Classico Riserva. Dusty, dry with fruit having receded to the background. Best with food. I would probably guess it's getting towards the end of its drinking window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2018 - RussK wrote: 90 Points
Russk. Maybe 90 - points. It needs a long decant to come up to 90 Plus points
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2018 - Aldo Doria Likes this wine: 87 Points
not too bad
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2018 - wineracquet Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good bargain Chianti classico. Many have commented on its nice smooth taste. That smooth taste does come at a cost imho. There is a lack of acidity that I do look for in a Chianti when pairing with tomato sauce- based Italian dishes. With some additional air time, the acidity did improve a bit. Still, for $10, I can't complain.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/1/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 88 Points
Dark ruby color but short of opaque. Red rose and red cherry flavors from nose to finish. The acid and tannin are good enough to keep the wine fairly dry. Decently enjoyable with food. But disappointingly lacking in richness and lushness, especially for a Chianti Riserva.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2018 - RussK wrote: 90 Points
Russk. Solid ChCR. Bought from Costco with a different label, showing a buffalo. No faults. Nicely balanced. Medium bodied. Savory. Nose of chestnut wood and vanilla. Improved over 4 days going to 90+. Get a couple more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2018 - mclanew wrote: 88 Points
Muted nose. Dark cherries, mushroom, spices on the palate. Fleshy, open modern style of chianti. Tasty but the body is a little out of balance and the finish is modest. Drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
10/13/2018 - Aldo Doria Likes this wine: 86 Points
no too dry. I enjoyed it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2018 - allensounhein wrote: 87 Points
Kinda of weak this time less nose and but still nice color ... had with stir fry close to end of life for this bottle window was suppose to be to 2019 but must drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2018 - jdwm73 wrote: 90 Points
Pleasant surprise. Very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2018 - Tim221 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very nice for a Chianti, less rough than usual Chiantis and more fruit notes on tasting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2018 - brujazz wrote: 86 Points
Lots of juice but ultimately quite simple. Was a great wine with 4th of July barbecue.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2018 - allensounhein wrote: 91 Points
Great clarity, nice nose of cherries and just a great taste....I did decant for a 1/2 hr
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2017 - Bjørn Kleppe wrote: 86 Points
Litt lite fyldig uten rund ettersmak. Virket for lett.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment