Bibbiano, Chianti Classico, Vigna del Capannino Gran Selezione

My 8th bottle and no bottle variation as yet for me. Lovely nose and fantastic acidity - the amount of acidity is reminding me of Chianti Rufina wine, but the sweet, fruit and tertiary fruit does not. Drinking very nicely now, but still quite tannic so will try and drink my last bottles over the next 5-10 years. Yum!

I've mentioned the bottle variation before. This bottle was somehow flatter than the last but not technically flawed.

excellent chianti. Does what it says on the tin

Decanted for 45 minutes. Pronounced bouquet of raspberry, currant, baking spices and earth. Once tasted the fruit flavors are not particularly pronounced, though the wine is well balanced and the finish is reasonably long. Overall the wine is lighter than I would expect (especially when compared with the Felsina Rancia, which is significantly better IMO). At the price I paid (on sale for $26) I was OK with the quality, but don't be seduced by the Gran Selezione designation into …

A pristine bottle. No dustiness just lifted blueberry and blackcurrant fruit. I just can't get over the bottle variation.

Plum juice, liquorice, cherries, black tea. Corked half a bottle and left it in the fridge a couple of days. Still very much alive and kicking after two days. Very good stuff!

A lot of colour, fruit and structure, though I was concerned about the level of VA giving a sweet and sour impression. This was okay but I hope certainty wouldn't want any more. Other bottles have had an initial mustiness, but at least this one was clean in that respect. It is however very, very good and I can't tell if this seemingly high risk winemaking is accident or design.

Colour already starting to brick. A lovely warm, inviting nose--all chestnut, savoury, piquant notes. Nothing fruity. Palate quite rich, weighty and long. Plenty of structure. This should develop nicely for at least 10 years.

(Tasted at Berry Bros Italian Tour 2014): Mute nose, difficult to get any real character. What there is, is dominated by dry leaf.

Very nice with good balance, tart fruit, medium finish. 88-90

Presentation of the Gran Selezione (The Carlu - Toronto, ON) : Strong effort from the traditionally leaning Bibbiano. Very pretty, attractive nose. Nebbiolo like. Dried florals, red fruited, strawberry, cherry, black tea leaves, tar, pot pourri. A more traditional expression. Savoury palate, though it also shows a little purple licorice edge which I don't always love. Firm tannin but I'm missing acid considering this is chianti.