Community Tasting Note

• CheviotCellar wrote: 87 points

  August 25, 2021 - Drank head to head with the 2017 Tenuta Riserva, which we thought was significantly better than the Monsanto.
  
  Ruby body with purple flares. Nose has musky oak, raisin, cherries, mineral and a prominent caramel note. Palate is acidic, with cherries and dark bramble. Soft mouth feel, and elegant delivery despite the high acid. Feels almost water vs. the Tenuta because of the relative lack of tannin. I think there are much better wines and Chiantis at this price point.

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4 Comments

• winemaker commented:

  8/25/21, 1:25 PM - You opened it too soon. It needs another 3 years or so to start showing its best. For my palate ages 7-15 years are the sweet spot. Which Tenuta Riserva were you referring to? Antinori? Generally speaking the Antinori wines are more extracted than the Monsanto. Monsanto is more old school. YMMV.

• Tobinski commented:

  8/25/21, 7:59 PM - Agree. With the exception of the 2011, which rocked on release and never really shut down, these need time.

• CheviotCellar commented:

  8/26/21, 11:20 AM - I suspected this might be the case. We are inexperienced with Chiantis but are sitting on some 2015 Fontodi's and 2013 Il Grigios. Do you recommend any websites for finding older Chiantis? They seem harder to find than other aged Italian wines like nebbiolos.

• winemaker commented:

  8/26/21, 2:18 PM - I usually buy Fontodi, Felsina, Monsanto, Istine, Castell'in Villa, Castellare, Isole e Olena, San Giusto a Rentennano on release and cellar them for awhile. I have recently been drinking my 2010 Fontodi's and they are mature and ready. I also buy a mix of regular CC and CCR since the CCs are drinkable sooner and the CCRs a bit later. CC is pretty much our go to wine in the middle of the week. They just go so well with so many types of food. You can look on K&L for some back vintages. Look at Saratoga Wine Exchange as well.

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