Anteprima Chianti Classico (45 TN inside!!)

After 2 years, I was back at this great event :-). Making a comparison, I was a bit disappointed to find out the overall level made some paces backwards, but maybe I was a bit unlucky in my "no-method-casual" tasting. Year 2009 was very hot in some places..better the straight Classico 2010
TN strictly refers to the tasted bottle.

Cannot find a rule for the Classico's vintages, maybe because it is easier for the enologists to correct possible defects in this younger category.

• 2009 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 81 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Red fruits and violet at nose, but also a hint of dirt/game
  Young, tannins a bit harsh. [LM: 85/2011]; [AiS 80-84/2012]

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• 2009 Monteraponi Chianti Classico 80 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice fruit at nose: wild cherries; violets. At taste alcohol and tannins overwhelm fruit. No structure. [AiS: 80-84/2012]

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• 2009 Val delle Corti Chianti Classico 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Sample from Barrel.
  Very nice wine: fruity and spicy (black pepper). Armonic and well balanced at taste, also if a bit weak structure.

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• 2008 Val delle Corti Chianti Classico 77 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Very different from the last vintage. Fruity, but no tissue, no structure, apart from a strong alcohol.

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• 2010 Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Fonterutoli 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice fruit at nose: wild cherries and cherries. Coherent at taste with fruit and alcohol (a bit evident).

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• 2008 Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Castello di Fonterutoli Gran Selezione 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  A selection of the best grapes. 18 months barrique. Very nice, both at nose and taste. Wide entry in mouth; still young and a bit unbalanced.[LM: 87/2011]; [AiS: 91-100/2012]

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• 2009 Fattoria San Michele a Torri Chianti Classico Tenuta La Gabbiola 85 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Bio-wine. 5 months in barrels.
  Armonically balanced with fruit, alcohol and tannins. Spicy and good structure. A bit short.

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• 2009 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice fruit, although a bit young and unbalanced. [LM: 86/2011]

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• 2009 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico 77 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Disordered at nose with tobacco and a hint of wet rag over fruit. At taste, tannins overwhelming an insufficient fruit and acidity.

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• 2009 Melini Chianti Classico Granaio 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Chewy fruity, nice!! Armonic and good balance at taste..a bit alcoholic. [LM: 84/2011]: [AiS: 80-84/2012]

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• 2008 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice fruit and velvety tannins, also if young. [AiS: 85-90/2011]

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• 2009 Fontodi Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  I did not rate this one: too much young very good structure...maybe next year

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• 2008 Fontodi Chianti Classico 81 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nicely fruity and overall pleasent, also if a bit short. [AiS: 80-84/2012]

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• 2010 I Sodi Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Not Rated. Premiere sample from barrel. Completely closed. (Would be 76)

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• 2009 San Vincenti Chianti Classico

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Sample from barrel.
  Unbalanced: mainly hints of wild game at nose, over fruit.
  Alcohol and tannins at taste. Some liquorice. [Would be 78]

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• 2008 Azienda Agricola Solatione Chianti Classico 79 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Very nice and complex smell: fruity, balsamic and herbs, but not corresponding at taste. Tannic and short.

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• 2008 Piccini Chianti Classico Poggio Teo 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  10 months of barriques for this Cru.
  Nice red fruits and floreal at nose. Dry, alcoholic and good structure. Tannins still a bit harsh.
  This producer was the real surprise of the tasting.

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• 2009 Agricoltori del Geografico Chianti Classico Contessa di Radda 81 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Correct wine. Good, but not intense at nose: mainly fruity. A tick over average at taste without much to remark. [LM: 87/2011]

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• 2010 Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico San Jacopo 85 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Fruity at nose..also if a bit...dusty. Nice, full body in mouth. Good persistence, almost "peppery".
  12 months in big barrels. [AiS 80-84/2012]

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In the Riserva category, 2007 confirms not to be a memorable vintage. 2009 still too young.

• 2008 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Here red fruit becoming more mature. Still a bit unbalanced for its youngness.
  20% passing new barriques.[LM: 84/2011]; [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2008 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva Coltassala 79 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice smell, but short at taste, with loose tannins.
  100% new barriques for 18 months. [LM: 87/2011]; [AiS: 91-100/2012]

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• 2007 Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva Baron 'Ugo 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Fruity and hints of eucalyptus at nose. Mainly alcohol in mouth. A bit better than the base Classico.[AiS: 91-100/2012]

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• 2008 Fattoria San Michele a Torri Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta La Gabbiola 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Delayed harvest; More young and tannic than the Classico. Straight spice (coffee) at nose. Tannic [LM: 86/2011]; [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2009 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Spicy and fruity at nose: red fruits. Good fruit at taste, but a bit low in acid. [RP: 92/2012]

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• 2008 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Was my favourite 2 years ago. Nice, fruity and spicy both at nose and mouth. Good body and concentration, with tannins well balanced by fruit. [LM: 88/2011]

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• 2007 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva Sassello 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Starting from this vintage, Sassello shifted from Toscana IGT to Chianti Classico Riserva.
  Less rich at nose than the two other Castello's Chianti. Young and low equilibrium at taste.

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• 2006 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Casi 81 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Finely fruity and spicy at nose.. Alcohol and tannins over scarce fruit at taste.[LM: 85/2009]

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• 2007 Melini Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneti La Selvanella 80 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Very nice and complex at nose: Red fruits, liquorice and coffee, a hint of tomatoes leaves..But not corresponding at taste, disarmonic and unbalanced. [LM: 87/2010], [AiS: 85-90/2011]

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• 2007 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice at nose, similar to the 2008 base Chianti. Not much to remark at taste. Correct. [AiS: 80-84/2011]

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• 2006 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva Il Margone

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Not rated. Maybe defective bottle. Fruity, but closed at nose. Game and fur. A hint of paint...(would be 75)

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• 2008 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  24 months of barriques.
  A correct, pleasant Chianti. A tick above average. [AiS: 91-100/2012]

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• 2009 I Sodi Chianti Classico Riserva

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Same as base Chianti...Too closed to be rated. (Would be 77)

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• 2008 I Sodi Chianti Classico Riserva 81 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Still too young. Red fruits and liquorice, but not much impressive. Just sufficient at taste. [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2007 San Vincenti Chianti Classico Riserva 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Fruity at nose, not very intense. Nice structure and armonic. Tannins still a bit young.

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• 2008 Azienda Agricola Solatione Chianti Classico Riserva 77 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Very common at nose and green tannins over fruit at taste.

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• 2008 Agricoltori del Geografico Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Montegiachi 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  This Riserva reflects the style of the base Classico: good fruit both at nose and taste...but not much more or evident. Correct Chianti anyway [LM: 87/2011]

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• 2008 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 80 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice at nose, a bit unbalanced at taste, with some "rustic" hints.

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• 2007 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  This is a selection of the best grapes. Production suspended on bad vintages.
  Better than the base Ducale. Yet similar, but more complex and more structure.

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• 2008 Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna La Prima 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Nice, but less complex and more traditional style, than the Classico. [LM: 88/2011]; [AiS: 85 - 90/2012]

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• 2008 Tenuta La Novella Chianti Classico Riserva 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  This Riserva is also a selection from the higher part of the vineyard, resulting in a bit delayed harvest. Biologic farm.
  Very nice red fruit and spices at nose. At taste, the wood is well amalgamated, giving nice spices. Velvety tannins and almost peppery. Good structure.

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IGT is another level, both for price and wine quality. Normally, not much to do with Sangiovese ...

• 2007 Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Steel and big tonneaux for this Sangiovese 85% and Malvasia Nera 15% blend. More alcohol than fruit at nose and taste... Maybe too young to be balanced. I decided NOT to rate it...would be a 79. [LM: 90/2011] [AIS: 91-100/2012]

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• 2008 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi Toscana IGT 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  This is like winning thanks to doping. Sangiovese 50% and Merlot 50%, resulting in a velvety fruit, sustained by a good alcohol and acid spine. Already armonic and well balanced. LM[90/2011]; [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2008 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Mature plums, cherries at nose. Great entry in mouth, velvety and full body. Well balanced. [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2007 Piccini Sasso al Poggio Toscana IGT 86 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Very nice wine overall. FRuity and spicy at nose; rounded, with a good structure and balance. [LM: 87/2011]; [AiS: 85-90/2012]

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• 2009 Castello Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle More Toscana IGT 84 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Fruit at nose a bit covered by alcohol. Still too much alcohol, but good fruit at taste.

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Looking back at my TN, a special prize for the overall production goes to Castello di Fonterutoli (best Classico and best IGT). Castello di Verrazzano being a confirm (my favorite, best Riserva) and Piccini - Valiano the best quality/price ratio with the IGT at a mere 7 Euro..Good second place for Tenuta la Novella (Riserva) and Castello Vicchiomaggio, just below the best in every category.