34 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva’s tried

 

2019 Chianti Classico Riserva 

2019 Arillo in Terrabianca Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio Crocce

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, juicy. 89

2019 Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice nose. Cherries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner finish. 86

2019 Buondonno Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, detailed, firmer finish, good length. 89

2019 Caparsa Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino

Bright ruby. Red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88

2019 Caparsa Chianti Classico Riserva Doccio a Matteo

Bright ruby. Some VA, red fruits, and anise, cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, juicy. 88

2019 Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Red fruits, anise, cherries, floral, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, juicy. 87

2019 Castagnoli Chianti Classico Riserva Terrazze

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, cherries, floral, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, juicy, elegant. 87

2019 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva Castellare

Bright ruby. Anise, red berries, blackberries and cherries nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, cherries, nuanced, bright and nuanced, good length. 89

2010 Castello di Albola Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, cherries, floral notes nose, detailed.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, juicy, long. 90

2019 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva Montebuoni

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, cherries, bright and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, bright, cherries, detailed, nuanced and long. 91

2019 Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Scented, detailed, red fruits and anise nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, juicy, nuanced, layered and long. 92

2019 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cherries, anise, liquorice long. 90

2019 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, some spices, liquorice, nuanced nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice and cherries, long finish. 92

2019 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Red berries, anise, liquorice, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, lean finish. 86

2019 Dievole Chianti Classico Riserva Novecento

Bright ruby. Leaner nose, red berries and anise. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, leaner bodied. 85

2019 Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico Riserva Le Baroncole

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, red fruits, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, leaner. 85

2019 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia

Bright ruby. Herbs, cherries, spices, anise, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, cherries, elegant texture, good length. 88

2019 Gagliole Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, spices, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, herbal notes, good length. 88

2019 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, spices, floral, nuanced note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, cherries, nuanced, refreshing, good length. 88

2019 La Vigna i San Martino ad Argiano Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Anise, liquorice, some spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, barnyard palate. 81

2019 Le Filigare Chianti Classico Riserva Maria Vittoria

Bright ruby. Scented, cherries, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, cherries, good length. 88

2019 Le Miccine Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, cherries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, cherries, anise, good length. 88

2019 Luiano Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Herbs, anise, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, herbs, leaner finish. 84

2019 Maurizio Alongi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Barbischio

Bright ruby. Anise, coffee, spices, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, dark fruits, bit one dimensional. 85

2019 Montecalvi Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Scented, roses, cherries, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some VA going on, leaner finish. 85

2019 Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, cherries, bright, good length. 89

2019 Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva Brolio

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbs, anise, leaner bodied, good length. 87

2019 Riecine Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, juicy, good length. 88

2019 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Sergioveto

Bright ruby. Anise, herbs, red berries and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, cherries, leaner finish. 85

2019 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli

Bright ruby. Anise, cherries, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, herbs, leaner. 87

2019 San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio

Bright ruby. Anise, cherries, spices, fruit driven, spices nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, juicy, good length. 88

2019 Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Herbs, nettles, anise, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, anise, herbs, red, bit easy going. 86

2019 Tenuta di Campomaggio Chianti Classico Riserva Santa Teresa

Bright ruby. Red berries, cherries, herbs nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and herbal palate. 85

2019 Terra di Seta Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Vanilla, cherries, anise and apices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, herbs, vanilla, lots of wood, bitter finish. 84

Different wines served over lunch from Tuscany

2019 Felsina Berardegna Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, red fruits, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, spices, liquorice, elegant, good length. 87

2019 Nittardi Chianti Classico Vigna Doghessa 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, scented, bright and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, tighter bottle, long finish. 91

2017 Castello Monterinaldi Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, some herbs, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, lighter bodied, good length. 88

2013 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose, some dates. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cherries, anise, spices, leaner but lovely balance, long. 92

1997 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio

Bright garnet, thin brick rim. Cherries, anise, red fruits, elegant nose, leaner, bright. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, cherries, liquorice, nuanced, long finish. 91

2019 Felsina Fontalloro 

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, spices, fruit driven, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, cherries, blackberries, detailed and nuanced, intense and long. 94

2018 Monteraponi Baron Ugo

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, floral, bright nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, nuanced, elegant texture, detailed and long. 93

2019 Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, floral, nuanced, bright, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, nuanced, lovely balance, long. 91

2020 Monteraponi Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, floral, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, nuanced, bright, detailed, good length. 89

2018 Fontodi Flaccianello 

Bright ruby. Scented, vanilla, cherries, spices, fruit driven nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, rich and intense, spices, blackberries, cherries, tobacco, long. 92

2018 Castello Vicchiomaggio Ripa della More

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis, fruit driven nose. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, rich and fruit driven. High alcohol. 89

2014 Fattoria di Lamole Lama della Villa 

Bright ruby. Cherries, thyme, anise, liquorice nose, nuanced, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, cherries, some cinnamon, nuanced, long finish. 90

2018 Nittardi Nectar Dei

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, spices, fruit driven, liquorice and spices, detailed, especially if served a little bit cooler towards 13-14 degrees. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, cassis, spices, liquorice, nuanced and intense, long finish. 92

2013 Antinori La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Santa Pia

Bright ruby. Some vanilla, spices, herbs, cherries and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, leaner bodied, good length. 87

2020 Carpineto Rosso di Montalcino 

Bright ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits and anise, some spices, good length. 87

2017 Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 

Bright ruby. Vanilla, cherries, spices, liquorice nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, firmer finish, good length. 89

2016 Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Bright ruby. Liquorice, anise. Spices, cherries and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, structured and firmer, nuanced, long finish. 91

2016 Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 

Ruby. Anise, cassis, blackberries and spices nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner bodied, good length. 88

2015 Carpineto Farnito Valcolombo

Ruby. Scented, cherries, anise, liquorice, nuanced nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven if leaner bodied, long finish. 90

2015 Carpineto Farnito Camponibbio

Ruby. Cherries, lighter nose, some spices and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red and dark fruits, anise, spices, good length. 89

1999 Carpineto Farnito Vinsanto del Chianti 

Deep amber. Dried fruits, raisins, dates and figs nose, intense, some spices, caramel and toffee. Medium acidity, rich, creamy, rounded, intense and layered. Long. 91

86 different 2019 Chianti Classico’s tasted, here are my favourites!

2019 Chianti Classico 

2019 Nittardi Chianti Classico La Doghessa

Bright ruby. Scented, cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, elegant, long finish. 92

2019 Fontodi Chianti Classico Filetta di Lamole

Bright ruby. Scented, cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, spices, juicy, elegant texture, long. 90

2019 Fontodi Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Anise, spices, floral, bright red fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, cherries, some spices, juicy, long finish. 89

2019 Frescobaldi Chianti Classico Tenuta Perano

Bright ruby. Lighter nose, cherries, anise, spices, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, liquorice, good length. 88

2019 Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Duelame

Bright ruby. Red fruits, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, juicy, elegant texture, good length. 88

2019 Cafaggio Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Scented, cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, nuanced, good length. 88

2019 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Herbs, anise, cherries and spices nose, morellos. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, red fruits, leaner finish. 87

2019 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, leaner bodied, some herbs. 87

After tasting 59 2020 Chianti Classico’s, here are my favourites!

 

2020 Chianti Classico tasting with 59 wines tasted, here are the ones to look for! 

2020 Brancaia Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Red berries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose, anise. Medium acidity, fruit driven, richer, leaner finish. 86

2020 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, fruit driven nose, nuanced, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, juicy, some spices, good length. 88

2020 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced nose, fresh. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, refreshing, morellos, good length. 87

2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardegna

Bright ruby. Anise, herbs, red fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red berries, elegant texture, good length. 87

2020 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, floral, cherries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, cherries, good length. 87

2020 Monteraponi Chianti Classico 

Bright ruby. Cherries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, juicy, good length. 87

2020 Ricasoli Chianti Classico Brolio

Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, leane rfinish. 87

2020 Barrelsamples from Brumont (Montus and Bouscasse)

2020 Château Bouscasse

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy with structure, detailed and long. I do not have a huge experience with these but probably the most fruit driven vintage of those I have tasted of this. 89-91

2020 Château Bouscasse VV

MAY 21 Ruby. Thyme, rosemary, dark fruits, vanilla, scented and fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices and liquorice, detailed and intense, long finish. Quite a bit of texture. 91-93

2020 Château Montus

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, spices and liquorice, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, spices and liquorice palate, intense, a very fine Montus. 91-93

2020 Château Montus Prestige

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, spices, nuanced, detailed nose. Minerals. Violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed and intense, juicy with lots of texture, yet more polished than usual, long. 92-94

2020 Château Montus La Tyre

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries and spices, detailed, layered, nuanced, long. 92-94

2018 and 1998 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira Part 1/2

 Text Christer Byklum, photo Symington's and Christer Byklum

How fun to have two wines with 20 years between them, I will taste and write about the same two vintages of Quinta do Vesuvio shortly. Today, Dow’s single quinta, Senhora da Ribeira. It is strange, in today’s world were terroir has become the number one selling point of fine wine, that some people still regard a vintage port finer than the single quinta vintage ports. Yes, they are blends of all the best grapes, at least that is the idea, yet areas like Barolo and Barbaresco are splitting up old blends and have made single vineyard or single commune wines on a different scale the last decades as they feel terroir shows more.

I actually tend to find the same with single quinta vintage port. Maybe some of them lack some of the power and brute force, but as a keen driver, I hat power is not all. Handling and brakes are maybe even more important, but many details make a car. And many details make a wine. And I tend to find that single quinta’s show terroir and details a bit more and sometimes quite a bit more than some vintage ports. I will be opening Vesuvio and taste them side by side the two below, and also follow them over a few days as I actually tend to find a day of air (standing cool, with a cork in a fridge) tend to open younger ports up quite a bit. I know, some say you need to drink these quickly, but I actually tasted a quite impressive 2011 Vintage bottle that had been opened in November just the other day, top fruit gone, but what a remarkable texture and structure still.

Only 25 hectares of vineyards out of 43,5 hectares for the entire estate, means our Lady of the river, and has been in the family since 1912. Predominantly south-east and east facing and 105 to 420 meters of altitude. Souzao and Alicante Bouchet co-fermented for the first time in the 2018. But also only a smaller part of the blend. This property is just across the river more or less from Quinta do Vesuvio. The 2014 is 45% Touriga Franca, 40 Touriga Nacional, 15% co fermented Alicante Bouchet and Souzao. They feel you get a better marriage between the varieties if you co-ferment.

2018 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira

Kr 699,90, 180 flasker tilgjengelig

Deep ruby. Rich, dark fruity, blueberries and blackberries nose, just dense, intense and impressive. High notes of floral notes and a whiff of mint. A mineral touch beneath, which is similar but at this stage much more subdued than in the 1998 below. Superb nose. Fresh acidity, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, smooth, detailed and intense, beautifully balanced, incredibly smooth, long.94

1998 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira

Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark fruits, staring dates, anise, floral notes behind, detailed nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, rich and intense, playful, a touch of granite minerals behind, lovely balance, rounded and smooth with two hours of air, long. 94

Below, link to a short video from the beautiful estate with additional info. And take a look. Few places can match Douro in beauty!

Big thank you to Symington's and the Norwegian importer to set up a tasting and shipping out samples with a great video conference like this during these Covid-19 times.