December 4, 2021 - This is okay - I have experienced some bottle variation with this wine, and this is not one of the better examples. Nose has more black fruit than red, although the red fruit is more pronounced on the palate. This pales in comparison to the Stella BdM I just opened.
April 18, 2021 - Showing much better today than my last bottle (which was only two weeks ago). So we’re dealing with some bottle variation here. Ripe red fruit on the nose and a pretty harmonious wine on the palate - no complaints here on a Sunday afternoon.
April 3, 2021 - One of my go-to wines in Chianti, but not one of my favorite vintages. This is okay, but displays the heat from the vintage by lacking acidity. Reticent nose, with ripe red fruit on the palate. Blind, I don’t think I would call this a Chianti, although it does feel vaguely Italian.
June 3, 2020 - The nose here is very similar to the Il Poggiale, but it also possesses an earthy note that is pretty intriguing. Best nose of the trio so far.
This wine is also pretty focused on the palate, with good acidity and nice persistence. To be honest, this wine doesn't even feel like it comes from a hotter vintage. For the vintage, very good.
January 13, 2020 - Consistently one of my favorite Chiantis from this so-so vintage. You would never guess this was a super hot vintage based on the focus this wine displays on both nose and palate.
A little abbreviated on the finish, but other than that, really a pleasure to drink right now.
September 9, 2019 - Nicely balanced on the palate, and a wine that in my experience consistently delivers. IMO, the best CC of this underperforming vintage.
August 6, 2019 - Drinking nicely - all tart red fruit and lively acidity, light- to medium-bodied. Given the vintage, this is a very good Chianti.
July 28, 2018 - Nice acidity and tannins at the end. Earthiness, red dark berries and leather on the palate. Close to the top but glad I still have 5 bottles left in the basement
October 31, 2017 - Hitting what must be it’s peak now. Starting to turn a little brick at the edges.Delicious tart cherry and Tuscan Earth/dust with still significant tannins. This is why I drink Chianti. 93pts
May 27, 2017 - Lighter in color than the Montenidoli; candied cherry fruit on the nose.
Nicely balanced on the palate - finish is a little short, but acidity here is also adequate. You don't get the same sour cherry notes that I mentioned in the Montenidoli. My recollection was that 2009 was a pretty hot/ripe year in Chianti - while this is still well-made and drinkable, it doesn't seem to possess the "stuffing" that Castell usually has in a good year.