The Monsanto CCR is the Produttori de Barbaresco of Chianti. Fabulous wine at an amazing price. This is my last bottle of the 97, and I can't see that it will improve further with more time, but it's drinking very well right now, with nice sous bois notes as an undertone, and higher register sour berry fruit on top. Assertive acid, but not out of whack. Nice wine.
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Mature but no sign of oxidation. Softer red but atill good. Soft taste all around but tannins are there. Remaining half bottle drunk the next was still enjoyable. Bought upon release and always in our cellar which probably explained the good condition.
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We had 2 Bottles at Gia in Uxbridge, MA Sunday night along with i bottle of an Amarone. The Chiantis had more forward and smoother red fruit than I expected! Finish smooth with a lingering mocha flavor!
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Initial opening had very strong fruit aromas. Initial taste was flat. Let sit for 1.5 hours and then it started opening up. By the end of our grilled lamb meal it was full open and tasting well. Served with the lamb; roasted beets and eggplant and it went very well. Saved 1/3 bottle for day 2. It was excellent; nice and smooth. Drank well by itself.
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The nose showed cherry, herbs, dusty potpourri and hints of blue cheese. On the palate, this wine was soft and mid-weight with zesty acidity and flavors of sour red fruits and salinity. The finish was slightly drying and still showed a good amount of structure for Chianti with 14 years on it.
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Much better than last two bottles. Still alive but on the point of decline. Dense fruit and a streak of acidity, yet heavy, clumsy, overripe, atypical Chianti. Was there ever a more unjustly touted Italian vintage than 1997? The American press were totally out to lunch, and repeated the error on 2000.
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Moribund but not dead, therefore better than last bottle. Rating reflects residual qualities which likely were never great. Believe this came from auction and past mishandling seems likely. Don't wait on this one; it hasn't waited for you.
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First bottle 2003, completely closed and unready. Second now, simply dead. Very atypical Chianti Classico, menthol but little else. Two more bottles of this & still some 1983 Il Poggio. Started buying Monsanto years ago per Wasserman, but have yet to find a thrilling bottle of any vintage. Stick to Fontodi & Felsina.
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I was somewhat worried about this bottle since it was kept for a few years in conditions far from ideal, but it turned out pretty ok. Decanted about an hour before serving. Brilliant ruby with quite a bit of brick at the rim. Rather typical, medium intense nose of cherries, nice oak and tea notes developed during the next few hours into much sweeter, almost plum jam-like. Medium body, fresh accidity, quite soft, but slightly grainy texture (also typical, I guess). The palate also showing sour cherries with a touch of cinnamon. Not very long aftertaste with some bitterness. Essentially a food wine, nice, elegant and mature.
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7/1/2022 - Hanover Likes this wine: 90 Points
Surprisingly pleasant - deep color with little edge - still fruit and structure, and a decent finish.
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11/26/2017 - SteveHyde Likes this wine: 90 Points
The Monsanto CCR is the Produttori de Barbaresco of Chianti. Fabulous wine at an amazing price. This is my last bottle of the 97, and I can't see that it will improve further with more time, but it's drinking very well right now, with nice sous bois notes as an undertone, and higher register sour berry fruit on top. Assertive acid, but not out of whack. Nice wine.
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11/22/2017 - Wineteacher Likes this wine: 87 Points
Mature but no sign of oxidation. Softer red but atill good. Soft taste all around but tannins are there. Remaining half bottle drunk the next was still enjoyable. Bought upon release and always in our cellar which probably explained the good condition.
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9/15/2014 - Old Amarone Likes this wine: 89 Points
We had 2 Bottles at Gia in Uxbridge, MA Sunday night along with i bottle of an Amarone. The Chiantis had more forward and smoother red fruit than I expected! Finish smooth with a lingering mocha flavor!
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1/1/2014 - AIB Likes this wine: 88 Points
still very tasty wine but much of its fruit is gone. past its prime.
The wine looks Light brown colored. The legs are Fast.
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8/11/2012 - jdrago wrote: 88 Points
Initial opening had very strong fruit aromas. Initial taste was flat. Let sit for 1.5 hours and then it started opening up. By the end of our grilled lamb meal it was full open and tasting well. Served with the lamb; roasted beets and eggplant and it went very well. Saved 1/3 bottle for day 2. It was excellent; nice and smooth. Drank well by itself.
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5/15/2011 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 89 Points
The nose showed cherry, herbs, dusty potpourri and hints of blue cheese. On the palate, this wine was soft and mid-weight with zesty acidity and flavors of sour red fruits and salinity. The finish was slightly drying and still showed a good amount of structure for Chianti with 14 years on it.
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2/15/2010 - Vinomane wrote: 89 Points
Much better than last two bottles. Still alive but on the point of decline. Dense fruit and a streak of acidity, yet heavy, clumsy, overripe, atypical Chianti. Was there ever a more unjustly touted Italian vintage than 1997? The American press were totally out to lunch, and repeated the error on 2000.
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1/4/2010 - SteveHyde wrote:
Best bottle yet. Rich sweet fruit, ample tanins, nice grip. Some vegetal notes, but I enjoyed them in this case.
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12/6/2009 - Vinomane wrote: 85 Points
Moribund but not dead, therefore better than last bottle. Rating reflects residual qualities which likely were never great. Believe this came from auction and past mishandling seems likely. Don't wait on this one; it hasn't waited for you.
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11/5/2009 - Vinomane wrote:
First bottle 2003, completely closed and unready. Second now, simply dead. Very atypical Chianti Classico, menthol but little else. Two more bottles of this & still some 1983 Il Poggio. Started buying Monsanto years ago per Wasserman, but have yet to find a thrilling bottle of any vintage. Stick to Fontodi & Felsina.
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6/3/2007 - igaf wrote:
I was somewhat worried about this bottle since it was kept for a few years in conditions far from ideal, but it turned out pretty ok. Decanted about an hour before serving.
Brilliant ruby with quite a bit of brick at the rim. Rather typical, medium intense nose of cherries, nice oak and tea notes developed during the next few hours into much sweeter, almost plum jam-like. Medium body, fresh accidity, quite soft, but slightly grainy texture (also typical, I guess). The palate also showing sour cherries with a touch of cinnamon. Not very long aftertaste with some bitterness. Essentially a food wine, nice, elegant and mature.
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1/19/2007 - Scheper wrote: 88 Points
op retour
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