Saturday, August 05, 2006

Vignamaggio Terre Di Prenzano Chianti Classico 2004 wine review by (PB)

One of the glories of wine is not merely the objective qualities they display but the subjective memories and emotions they evoke. I will strive to be objective first–and then explain the rest.

This 100% Sangiovese–the signature grape of Chianti wine--is a light ruby on the pour with a very nice bouquet of light cherry/black cherry aromas with a nose of pure fruit.

In the mouth this wine is at first “salty” tasting with robust flavors of white and black pepper with solid tannins that have a tight grip on the structure. This wine needs serious air.

I decanted it and after an hour or so, everything balances out nicely with smoke and oak notes with newly exposed, dried cherry flavors. It has the signature steeliness characteristic of the Sangiovese grape. It finishes short with wood and fruit.

Feeling ambitious, I made home made tortellini, stuffed with our fresh garden grown, basil and Parmesan cheese. It was labor intensive feat but was marvelous. I topped it with a homemade marinara sauce and home grown squash, and locally grown sweet corn.

I paid $15 for this wine in Boston and grabbed it immediately since (NW) and I–with wives at our sides–stayed at Vignamaggio on a visit to Tuscany a couple years back. It is the birth home of Mona Lisa and a beautiful estate situated amongst the hills of grape and olive farms of the winery. These grapes are grown right on the premises where we slept, ate and experienced sheer, Italian delight.

In our 6 speed BMW, we toured all over the Tuscan country side and this wine evokes the bliss of that European fantasy. Venice was spectacular, Florence beyond words and this wine transports me back to hill top restaurants, hotels and gondoliers proudly boasting of their trade. Ah, Venice!

Ah, Vignamaggio! The heck with objectivity; in light of it all, this wine is fabulous. Where else can you experience such reverie for $15? Raise a glass!

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