Vinous

• By Antonio Galloni
  Italy’s Finest Values (Aug 2010) (link)

  (La Maialina Chianti Classico Riserva) Subscribe to see review text.

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  12/3/2011 (link) 88 points

  (La Maialina Chianti Classico Riserva) Medium red violet color; dried berry, cherry nose; ripe black cherry, dried berry, tar palate; medium-plus finish

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  9/24/2010 (link)

  (MAIALINA Chianti Classico Riserva) Riserva Dear Friends, With every new issue of the WA, the scouring begins by a broad swath of our Email List and we start to receive a disproportionate number of requests for 2-3 wines out of the thousands that were reviewed. In the last issue that accolade went to the 2008 Galardi (no, we don’t have any...yet) and also this wine, an unheralded beverage that has taken on a life of its own since the issue was released – to date, it is the single most requested item from any Wine Advocate in 2010. Why? It’s cheap (dirt cheap for Riserva level) and it received a great review/score (let’s just call a spade a spade and not beat around the bush – low price + high score = a huge number of requests, even by those that claim to not care about scores). To be honest, I’ve only seen this wine once in Italy as it is just as unknown in Tuscany. It’s almost impossible to find in the US (except on the East Coast) and, considering the review, its undiscovered status is no more. Since the verbiage came out, I’ve done a lot of investigative work on the source and it appears to be one of the most promising new entrants in a long time. The wine is from one of Tuscany’s most admired vineyards and the raw materials have been handled like a very costly IGT (without the massive oaking – thankfully). Attilio Pagli will not tell you where the wine is from (his secret insures the low price) so in some way, this is almost like a Chianti Classico Riserva Mystery Wine that has already gained just about the highest praise possible. While I have a sneaking suspicion as to its origin, let’s just say the branded/winery labeled Riserva is 2-3 times this cost. If I did the math correctly, this is the highest rated/lowest priced CC Riserva in the history of the WA... ” I cringe while I write this but...hurry on this one... ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price with impeccable provenance (we cannot obtain a second shipment – the 2007 is already fully subscribed) FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 120/person until we run out: 2007 La Maialina Chianti Classico Riserva - (if we run out, there’s a line-priced parcel in NJ as well) To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is on the water, it set sail from Livorno a week ago – it will arrive in November (please check OARS for local pick up after November 10th). It will ship when the weather permits. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.

Wine Library TV

• By Gary Vaynerchuk
  QPR Italian Battle, Episode #919, 9/16/2010 (link) 90 points

  (La Maia Lina Chianti Classico Riserva) #2; COLOR-dark; NOSE-some good fruit coming through; spiciness; also a crushed potpourri; classic nose; kind of creamy; PALATE-this is quite good; a little modern edge to it with some creaminess and has some good oomph; great floral, spice and fruit; dominant sweet Asian plum on the mid-palate transition to the finish; after tasting the cheese there are more tannins showing on the back-end; this wine is FANTASTIC; AG-92; GV-90