Opened last 2 bottles of the case I bought in 2008. The first one was way over the hill. The second one was better but still fading. If you have any of this you should try/drink it soon!
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This wine was fully intact and will probably drink well for another couple of years (if well cellared... ). Tannins fully resolved. Not flashy or complex but good structure and length. Surprisingly good.
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Ran through the Vinturi and decanter. Found the wine to be a touch on the thin side with nice levels of palate drying tannins. Really enjoyed the nose with notes of cherry, cooked meat, and Slovenian oak. Food wine for sure, but found it to be more and more approachable as it opened up. Very old world style, less about massive fruit and manipulation. Kind of a Chianti you might expect in the early 80's. There are better CCR's out there at similar prices
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Though not generally a Banfi fan, I thought this effort was fine. A darker CCR with the basic profile of cherry fruit and earth. Had correct acid level, tannin, and medium weight. Maybe it was the quality of the 2004 vintage. Exceeded my expectations.
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Purple core and light cherry on the edge. No nose unless swirled and then cherry with hint of licorice. Heavy legs. Weak palate with no fruit. Herbs and bitter with some light tannin. Just ok and a weak effort for this vintage.
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Light color, cherry nose and noticeable tannins. A little more acidic than I'd have liked, especially since we drank w/o food. Not much fruit on the palate. A basic effort, drinkable but not remarkable, but at the price, not bad.
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A bit simple, little structure and tart. Lots of sour cherries and little else. High level of acidity that really is noticeable on the finish and not in a good way. The high acidity makes this a wine that goes better with food and it did pair pretty well with pasta sauce.
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Pisentis brought dinner and wine. Popped and poured. Good juice. Light purple color. Aromas are light and fruity with some cherries and chocolate. Not much on the palate. Some dark fruit. Short light finish. A good Thursday night sipper.
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This was a decent wine with good sour-cherry, plum-earth fruit, stiff tannins and a slightly acidic finish. Not ideal for sipping but a good match to a red-sauce.
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No detailed notes, but I recall this chianti being rather thin, a bit too acidic, and simple. That being said, I am holding this wine to the high standard of the Castello di Monsanto '04, the last CCR I had. This wine did open up a bit after an hour in the decanter. Still, while ample with a tomato sauce-based dinner, this wine is not what I would expect from a Chianti Classico Riserva. You can do much better from '04 for the price if you look around.
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A bit simple. Tart with some sour cherries and cedar notes. Is that mushrooms I taste? I think so. Turns a bit too acidic on the finish. Some may say "this goes better with food".That is a way to say this is a simple chianti.
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Cranberry crimson in color with mild aromas of a mixed vegetable basket fresh from the market, earth, citrus, and sage. Medium nectar with a round mouthfeel packing aged berries, cedar, and a bit-o-tar in it's handbag. The finish is nice and dry. Not a bad Reserva for 20$ but I'd spend the extra 5 and get the good stuff any day.
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A little bit of spice on the nose but overall quite tart and astringint with a thin midpalate and a dry finish. I would expect much better from any 04 Tuscan wine. This is average Italian table wine at best. However, it does make a nice ingredient in a red wine marinara sauce, which is where the rest of it will be used.
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Purchased off the list at Michael's in Brooklyn, NY. Strong notes of smoke and charcoal. Lightweight on the palate with a thin middle and dry, spicy finish. Fair to Good.
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Dinner at Il Chianti: Very nice spiced pepper nose, opened up well during the course of dinner, thin to med body, med finish. Went well with the risotto.
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11/24/2020 - jgh123 wrote:
Opened last 2 bottles of the case I bought in 2008. The first one was way over the hill. The second one was better but still fading. If you have any of this you should try/drink it soon!
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5/13/2020 - jgh123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nothing to add.
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3/24/2020 - jgh123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully mature. Drink and enjoy over the next year or two.
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1/12/2019 - jgh123 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine was fully intact and will probably drink well for another couple of years (if well cellared... ). Tannins fully resolved. Not flashy or complex but good structure and length. Surprisingly good.
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6/14/2012 - jeig wrote: 91 Points
Surprisingly good as the storage condition was not excellent. Very classic, old world wine. Earthy, medium-full body.
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7/9/2011 - rnellans wrote: 89 Points
Big cherry fruit with some earth, leather. Relatively soft tannins and approachable.
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9/24/2010 - BryAG wrote: 84 Points
Ran through the Vinturi and decanter. Found the wine to be a touch on the thin side with nice levels of palate drying tannins. Really enjoyed the nose with notes of cherry, cooked meat, and Slovenian oak. Food wine for sure, but found it to be more and more approachable as it opened up. Very old world style, less about massive fruit and manipulation. Kind of a Chianti you might expect in the early 80's. There are better CCR's out there at similar prices
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8/27/2010 - Armando B wrote: 86 Points
Though not generally a Banfi fan, I thought this effort was fine. A darker CCR with the basic profile of cherry fruit and earth. Had correct acid level, tannin, and medium weight. Maybe it was the quality of the 2004 vintage. Exceeded my expectations.
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5/1/2010 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 84 Points
nose shows some cherries, leather. the palate is lean, acidic, with tart cranberry flavors and a short finish.
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12/16/2009 - KHILL wrote: flawed
may have been corked bottle
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8/25/2009 - Capybara562 wrote: 88 Points
Extremely dry, with flavors of earth, red fruit, and leather. Soft and integrated tannins, with a short finish.
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6/1/2009 - cos82 wrote: 83 Points
Purple core and light cherry on the edge. No nose unless swirled and then cherry with hint of licorice. Heavy legs. Weak palate with no fruit. Herbs and bitter with some light tannin. Just ok and a weak effort for this vintage.
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4/17/2009 - bvwino wrote: 86 Points
A little more acidic than I remember. Light, a little bit tannic. Still a nice effort for the price.
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4/13/2009 - BrunelloRiserva wrote: 85 Points
Light color, cherry nose and noticeable tannins. A little more acidic than I'd have liked, especially since we drank w/o food. Not much fruit on the palate. A basic effort, drinkable but not remarkable, but at the price, not bad.
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3/22/2009 - vdv115 wrote: 82 Points
A bit simple, little structure and tart. Lots of sour cherries and little else. High level of acidity that really is noticeable on the finish and not in a good way. The high acidity makes this a wine that goes better with food and it did pair pretty well with pasta sauce.
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2/26/2009 - schnittle wrote: 83 Points
Pisentis brought dinner and wine. Popped and poured. Good juice. Light purple color. Aromas are light and fruity with some cherries and chocolate. Not much on the palate. Some dark fruit. Short light finish. A good Thursday night sipper.
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12/31/2008 - tanninbomb wrote: 82 Points
Sour cherry, not much else, frankly. Acidic and thin.
Waste of a wine. Shame on Banfi.
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11/18/2008 - bvwino wrote: 86 Points
Good for the price -- went very well with dinner. After dinner was a little dry. Better with food.
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10/27/2008 - Slics wrote: 86 Points
This was a decent wine with good sour-cherry, plum-earth fruit, stiff tannins and a slightly acidic finish. Not ideal for sipping but a good match to a red-sauce.
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10/14/2008 - strikingvisage wrote: 85 Points
Red fruit, forest floor, earth, and medicine in the nose. Fruit and some earth on the palate, smooth but nicely tannic with good balance overall.
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9/2/2008 - Rossodio wrote: 83 Points
No detailed notes, but I recall this chianti being rather thin, a bit too acidic, and simple. That being said, I am holding this wine to the high standard of the Castello di Monsanto '04, the last CCR I had. This wine did open up a bit after an hour in the decanter. Still, while ample with a tomato sauce-based dinner, this wine is not what I would expect from a Chianti Classico Riserva. You can do much better from '04 for the price if you look around.
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5/25/2008 - RATER wrote: 73 Points
Despicable, bad quality and over-priced grape juice!
My score was actually a 74 but losses a point for pricey.
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5/9/2008 - bjecjohnson wrote: 89 Points
SMELL: Heavy oak, fruity, peppery
TASTE: Sour cherries, somewhat acidic, but not too bad. Good bottle of wine.
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4/26/2008 - nubbin wrote: 84 Points
Earthy, brambly, dry, light acidity. (D 7, F 5.5; Cent)
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3/6/2008 - t_moderne wrote: 85 Points
A bit simple. Tart with some sour cherries and cedar notes. Is that mushrooms I taste? I think so. Turns a bit too acidic on the finish. Some may say "this goes better with food".That is a way to say this is a simple chianti.
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2/24/2008 - stranman wrote: 88 Points
Little character. Ho-hum.
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2/10/2008 - GreatLibations wrote: 86 Points
Cranberry crimson in color with mild aromas of a mixed vegetable basket fresh from the market, earth, citrus, and sage. Medium nectar with a round mouthfeel packing aged berries, cedar, and a bit-o-tar in it's handbag. The finish is nice and dry. Not a bad Reserva for 20$ but I'd spend the extra 5 and get the good stuff any day.
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2/10/2008 - Rob MacKay wrote: 75 Points
A little bit of spice on the nose but overall quite tart and astringint with a thin midpalate and a dry finish. I would expect much better from any 04 Tuscan wine. This is average Italian table wine at best. However, it does make a nice ingredient in a red wine marinara sauce, which is where the rest of it will be used.
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12/26/2007 - s3cure wrote: 89 Points
Very good. Not as complex a taste as the house wines in some Italian restaurants, but might have opened better if decanted. Consider buying a case.
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12/23/2007 - SBA Guru wrote: 88 Points
Laura likedit. Very simple wine, smooth but lacksany depth.
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10/30/2007 - tanglenet wrote:
Purchased off the list at Michael's in Brooklyn, NY. Strong notes of smoke and charcoal. Lightweight on the palate with a thin middle and dry, spicy finish. Fair to Good.
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10/23/2007 - wood144 wrote: 90 Points
had with a dinner of spaghetti and meat sauce, went very well together.
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10/21/2007 - BTT wrote: 86 Points
Dinner at Il Chianti: Very nice spiced pepper nose, opened up well during the course of dinner, thin to med body, med finish. Went well with the risotto.
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10/21/2007 - Jack wrote: 78 Points
Taste of the Vine 10/21 (Kierland): Tart and simple
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