Chianti Blind at the Wine Club

The Wine Club put on a unique tasting of wines of Chianti. All wines were served blind in flights of four. We also received a lot of food with our wines, much more than expected and varied. Well worth the $20 admission and then some even if few of the wines showed very well. The 2004 Marchese was a clear winner to me. Some of the cheaper options also showed good value. I was surprised by the amount of oak seen in some of these. Ripeness was also very prevalent which I would think is a mark of the 2006 vintage which was prevalent in the tasting though I am no expert on Chianti. I hope they put on more events like this though I think they will rethink it judging by the comments I heard from the staff.

• 2006 Castello di Monastero Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Ripe nose showing oak initially with some rustic notes in the background and funk coming out later. Cherry is up front with very strong harsh tannins at the finish. Good acidity though on the short side. This is a good basic Chianti for the money but the I'm not sure the wine will live long enough to let the tannins relax. Chew the fat.

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• 2006 Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Dark young nose showing wood in a dark chocolate sort of way with notes of violets. A big sharp cherry aroma comes out later. Thick, ripe, big and rich. A very modern styled "Chianti".

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• 2006 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Nose shows ripe baked qualities with some heat. Rich juicy palate with notes of wood. Good acidity with strong late tannin and a clean finish. I liked the balance here though the midpalate was a bit weak. A good dinner companion at $15 though.

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• 2006 Brancaia Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Rich concentrated nose that shows young and ripe with notes of prunes. Soft, sweet and thick across the midpalate with a big finish. Again towards the modern style of things.

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• 2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. The nose shows nothing distinctive being bland red wine. Fairly simple cherry palate that shows balance with strong acid and tannin. Another nice simple dinner wine but with a bigger price tag that removes it's value.

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• 2006 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rùfina Nipozzano Riserva

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rùfina

  Served blind. Showing lots of charred oak with mocha and dark chocolate on the nose and a touch of heat. Thick very tannic palate showing lots of chocolate and coffee and a note of graham cracker later. Chianti by way of Napa Valley. Brutal.

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• 2004 Antinori Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Big concentrated nose that shows ripe and rustic. Overall the palate was on the tight side but it did show off good wine making and pedigree. Juicy and balanced with ripe fruit and a classic profile. There was just something pretty and lovely about this one overall. Hard to pinpoint but that is what often makes an excellent wine. Should get better also. Easily the best wine on the day for me.

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• 2006 Cafaggio Chianti Classico Villa Cafaggio

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Bright but light nose with sweet flowers and a mineral quality. Palate doesn't show much fruit concentration feeling very thin at the edges. Ripe with prunes on the finish and heat.

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• 2004 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Ripe nose showing raisins and oak. More raisin flavors and lacking some concentration.

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• 2006 Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico Riserva Flawed

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Spicy nose showing juniper and some funk. Also a touch of TCA lurking. Big and round, sweetish and tannic. Becomes harshly acidic and tannic. Corked.

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• 2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Served blind. Big fruited nose yet tight showing chocolate and spice. Big and round with lots of fruit. Shows some heat and lacks acidity. Cocktail Chianti.

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• 2007 Poggio alla Sala Chianti Colli Senesi

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Colli Senesi

  Served blind. Fat bland nose showing some brett. The most classically styled of the day showing its secondary characters over the fruit and oak in a rustic spicey way. Nothing great but something you don't see a lot of for those who like the funk.

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