2016 San Felice Chianti Classico

Community Tasting Note

SeattleKen Likes this wine:

Sunday, January 17, 2021 - Medium color. Lovely nose of cherries, violets, and earthy notes, like really nice pipe tobacco? Tannins up front and subdued but nice fruits. Even without breathing, this is a lovely wine— not my usual impression of young Chianti. With breathing, the wine becomes richer and seems to have some creamy notes. After 90 minutes in the glass, the creamy notes drop and it just becomes a beautiful glass of plums and enough acid/tannins to call out for a bowl of pasta or cheese. Fruits are dark plums, earth, and a touch of cocoa. Clear and balanced acidity and tannins. Good finish. Unlike a lot of inexpensive Chianti, this is really “yummy”. Pro tip: if you have some awesome olive oil, use tip— the fat balances against the tannins and acidity amazingly. Despite how great it is now, what I’m reading says a good Classico should peak around 8-10 years (2024-2026)? Maybe I’ll store a few bottles and see how they do...

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5 comments have been posted

Comment posted by 69Voltage:

1/17/2021 4:29:00 PM - Are you saying the "creaminess" fades after 90 minutes? That the prime window is between 60-90 minutes after opening? Sounds like it’s enjoyable either way but I only have one bottle and would like to get the most out of it.
Comment posted by SeattleKen:

1/17/2021 4:36:00 PM - It’s not that. There was a brief window in which I sensed a chocolate note, which is not what I think Chianti is known for. It’s beautiful start to finish. I guess it depends on how you’re serving it. I just had it with some pasta (tomato sauce and lots of basil) at about 90 minutes after opening and it was a killer.
Comment posted by 69Voltage:

1/17/2021 4:43:00 PM - Awesome. Thanks, Ken. Cheers!
Comment posted by SeattleKen:

1/17/2021 4:49:00 PM - As I have more food with this, great olive oil is the key. Fat is always the foil to tannins but having plenty of olive oil on the side with a red sauce positively makes this wine “super-yummy”
Comment posted by 69Voltage:

1/17/2021 4:57:00 PM - Appreciate the heads up, always looking for and enjoying learning about factoids such as that. Going to give this bottle another year at least but am looking forward to enjoying it with a nice red pasta dish.