TN: A terrific Chianti

[jal]

2004 Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo. I've been singing the praises of the 2004 Chiantis for a while and this one is another example of some of the wonderful wines made that year in Tuscany.

With a pasta dish with tomatoes and eggplant and chicken milanese. The wine is just fantastic; very nice smell of fresh red plums, vibrant and refined but robust enough to stand up to the rustic meal. It has freshness and acidity but still has a long fruity finish. It probably can be aged for years and improve more but yesterday it was just delicious.

[Comte Flaneur]

Jacques did you get this from PD on sale at Zachys? I bought some as well and they were delicious (were being the operative word unfortunately)...I think I am right is saying this deluxe chianti has a (judicious) twist of cabernet-sauvignon added? The 2006 Fontodi CC was also delicious.

Stuart if you are reading this - these are the sort of Itais you can't go wrong with.

[jal]

I did Ian, I bought the last three bottles at Zachys. One down two to go.

[PappaDoc]

Please save one btl for another ten years. I've had the 85 and the 90 in the past two years and they were still showing plenty of fruit, the tannis were silken and had great debth of flavor.

The past three years I've been drinking Chiantis and Sangiovese based Tuscan wines that have all been at least 15 years old. At least 20 btls were between 15 and 30 + years old. Almost every btl was special. From the Monsantos' "Il Poggio",1975 1982, 1985 (split a case with two guys from auction, fantastic), 1986, and 1990. Only one bad btl and that was corked.

I drank an 1985 Castellare "I Sodi S. Niccolo mostly Sangiovese with some Malavsia Nera (this grape makes a great dessert wine as well). I've had about six different vintages of this wine and it's always been excellent. The 85 lived up to the reputation of the vintage (my favorite Sagiovese vintage of any I've ever had) with a richness and spherical mouth feel, sweet fruit excellent balance of tannin and acid and a sprightly character that was more like a ten year old wine. I had 2oz left from the decanted bottom of the btl the next morning and it was even bigger, more aromatic, with a terrific finish.

In the past year I have been saving the bottom of the btl until the next morning. Not just young wines that I would expect to improve, but wines that are more than ten years old to see how they hold up.
Almost always, the Sangiovese wines improve as the acidity lowers and the fruit really comes forth. None of them displayed the tea flavors I get when wines are in the last stages of life.

Most of these Sangiovese based Tuscans I bought on Wine Bid for as low as $30 plus $4 commision for an 1982 Castello di Gabbiano CC Riserva (perfect shape), 1985 Val di Suga Brunello $50 plus $7.00 commision. All were under $100.00 with most being around $50.00. Thats been wines from 1975 to 1990.

It's a shame that people don't age Sangio, you just can't belive the transformation, provided they come from a great vintage. If they come from a good but acidic vintage such as 1988, 1995, in most cases the fruit won't out last the acids. Some great wines were made in these two vintages, but not as across the board as 1982, 1985, 1990, 1997, 2001, and potentially (not as many) 2004s. 1988 and 1995 vintages are similar to some French wines as they show more red, Pomegranite, Cranberry , Wild Cherry flavors. The best Sangio vintages show dark fruits promonately Black Bing Cherry and Black Plum, with the acids always below the fruit.

[Blanquito]

I love Fontodi, never had anything from them less than terrific... I grabbed a 6 pack from the Fontodi CC 2006 from Zachys during their sale, so I'm glad to hear it's drinking well, Ian. I had the 1997 Fontodi CC recently, and it was stellar. The chianti tasting I attended a month ago was so good, and we all left saying "we need to cellar and drink more chianti".

[JimHow]

Any other 2004 chianti recommendations?

[JCNorthway]

Jim,

I'd recommend the Felsina family of Chiantis. The regular, riserva, and riserva rancia (they also have Fontalloro which I think is their higher-end 100% Sangiovese wine). Over the years I have developed a preference for Felsina over Fontodi, only because in some years the Fontodi seems to have some brett problems. I noticed it in a couple of 1997s. Then I bought a case of 99 Fontodi and after opening 3 bottles, I returned the rest of the case. Guess what, all of the replacement bottles have had the same problem. Hopefully they have resolved the issue by now, but I am a little gun-shy after my experience.

By the way, the 05s and 06s are also very good from Tuscany. And I'm hearing that 07 will be better than all of them.

Jon

[JimHow]

Thanks for the tip, Jon, the NH liquor store system seems to have some in stock, I'll try to pick some up this weekend.

[jal]

Thanks for the tip, Jon, the NH liquor store system seems to have some in stock, I'll try to pick some up this weekend.

I think 2004 and 2006 are safer bets than 2005 in Chianti. The 2004 Antinori Marchese Riserva is delicious and is a bargain at $28

[PappaDoc]

2007 Chiantis are fantastic!

[JimHow]

What are your thoughts on is wine?

Antinori Chianti Classico Peopli, $23.99

[sdr]

Stuart if you are reading this - these are the sort of Itais you can't go wrong with.

I'm listening, I'm listening.

~stuart

[jal]

What are your thoughts on is wine?

Antinori Chianti Classico Peopli, $23.99

I had it and liked it well enough, but I prefer the Marchese Riserva for a few bucks more.

[PappaDoc]

Jim,

I don't like the Peppoli at all. It has Merlot in it and is made in a very soft, forward style. More Cali than Itali. :>) I wouldn't drink it for free.

Keep your eyes out for 2007 Querciabella. I tasted 2007 samples with our buyer and their distributor.
Every wine we tried, from their Mongrana (blend of Sangio, Cab and Merlot) to their flagship wine were exceptional. Please buy the 2007 Riserva, it is a wow wine for sure.

Jim ,

Key producers to look for are Felsina, Fontodi ( del Sorbo especially), Monsanto (especially the "Il Poggio" which many critics think is the greatest Chianti period!), Antinori (the Marchese Riserva only), Querciabella, Nipozzano (especially the "Montesodi") Castellare ( I Sodi San Niccolo) , Castell' in Villa Riserva ( buy old btls if you can find them, as well as current), Castello dei Rampolla Riserva.

All these should serve you quite well. Remember, these wines need age or decant them 4 or 5 hours so the acids can calm down a bit. They are definately food wines, great with Steak, Venison, Duck .

[JimHow]

Thanks, I'll look for these wines.

[Blanquito]

In good years, the Ruffino Ducale de Oro (gold label) can be fantastic. I had the 1985 of this wine and I was enthralled.

[jal]

I also like the Frescobaldi Nipozzano a lot but I prefer the cheaper Riserva to the Montesodi. The Felsina Rancia is also delicious. Actually, the only remaining reason to stick with the Wine Advocate is the excellent reviews by Galloni.

[Blanquito]

... the only remaining reason to stick with the Wine Advocate is the excellent reviews by Galloni.

I also think Schildknecht is great... now if only he could get his punctuality together! And Parker is still good in my book for Bordeaux and Rhone if you know the estate's style. I've lost interest in Cali wines for the most part.

Jay Miller and Squires' reporting do nothing for me.

[Chasse-Spleen]

I really enjoy Viticcio Chiantis. Their 2004 Riserva was certainly ageworthy. The CCs are great pop and pour. I've also enjoyed Rodano, the Riservas and some single vineyards. The others mentioned above are of course excellent. Felsina strikes me as very modern though, to the point of it not exactly seeming like Chianti. It's off near the border of super-Tuscan land. Very rich, with lots of blackberry flavors.
-Chris