Villa Calcinaia, Chianti Classico, Riserva

Double decanting. Initial impression at PnP. Deep color with a yellow rim but nearly opaque dried blood core. Reticent on the nose, clean, no signs of oxidation. Slow to emerge dusty aromas are joined by perfumes of tobacco, spicy dried floral notes, light red berry fruit and chalky stone all topped with a sheen of fruity sweetness. Tight on entry, rather structured, still fairly tannic, perfect supporting acids lend freshness to a palate of cranberry, cherry, stone. and hints of …

Absolutely delicious, but I would not have recognised this blind as Chianti. Quite pale but mid-ruby red. Raspberry rather than leathery, cherry nose, and a palate remarkably lacking in sangiovese astringency. Ripe, silky, inviting and just too easy to drink.

Decent chianti classico, some structure there but the alcohol was a tad high which detracted from the wine. I served it at cellar temp already with a quick 30m decant.

The nose has hints of cocoa, sour cherries and licorice. On the palate, the initial red fruits give way to black licorice introducing a finish skewed to acid but with enough tannins to keep things straight.

Smooth well balanced and drinkable now but I'd decant first.

...rich cherry/cola, some oak, a little spice flavors; very smooth, dry, good level of tannins; nice clean long finish.

Medium/deep garnet core, pale garnet rim. Nose is quite aromatic, sour red cherry, spice, hint of florals. Medium/full, intense sour red cherry fruit, spice, soft tannins, quite generous, decent intensity, vibrant acidity carrying a good length finish. Drinking well but still some backbone here so no need to hurry to drink up. To 2020ish.

Gorgeous nose of ripe raspberry and cherry fruit with iron, toast, chalk and mint for complexity. The palate displays excellent and depth and density, with ripe redcurrant and blackcurrant flavors laced with tobacco and violets. There is considerable length too, as the wine becomes lighter and prettier, with ripe grassy red apple and cola flavors framed with supple tannin and crisp acidity.

Good, classic chianti. Open, maturing, sour, tangy, still quite fruity. Intense. Very Italian. Great with pasta in tomato sauce.

Very pale burgundy, sour fruit, musk, menthol on nose, very powerful. Rich, smooth, dark, sour cherries, drops off a bit short but very good. Firm tannins.

Needs time to open up, but after a couple of hours the fruits and aromas are demonstrated. Dark, smokey red, sour cherries on nose. Attractive sour fruits, medium length and tannins suggesting a few more years left in this. Very attractive.