Tasting notes:
Nose of cherry, red candy, and a trace of earth and mushrooms
Smooth texture on the palate
Nice finish with spices, some chocolate and more undertones of earth
When I find good Chianti Classico, it blows me away. The good ones have some fruit and new oak layers, but a subtle earthiness and "old-world" elegance that pairs so well with food. Wines that deliver this balance are cutting edge in Chianti because it's an art form to marry the best of the old world and the best of the new.
Look for the Riserva wines right now. Many are from the 2001 vintage and have a little barrel and bottle age. You won't have to pay up a lot over a regular Chianti Classico bottling if you hunt around. For example, I found this wine on sale twice for just $13, and their non-Riserva wine usually sells for about that price. Grab the Riserva if you find it, or any Riserva priced in the teens. More and more, these wines are the perfect balance between old and new styles. Raise a glass!
Raise a glass!
This is a great bottle of Chianti. It has the earthiness characteristic of Chianti with a just a touch more fruit. The 5% of Merlot probably adds that and the 5% of Cabernet Sauvignon adds a little body. This wine taste big but is not big bodied. It has a velvet smooth finish. I found it at Costco in Harrisonburg, VA for $16.99. A great wine at that price!
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