On Asimov's Tail: Chianti Classico Riserva — WineChap Blog.

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This week’s column from Eric Asimov discusses the current state of Chianti Classico Riservas. Now, those of us who have been drinking wine for some time are aware of Chianti’s checkered past—straw bottles, Carlo Rossi jugs, vinyl tablecloths—and for many, this cheap table wine stigma still sticks. But with the region’s effort to turn its troubled reputation for producing wines better suited to removing rust than drinking, the wines from this storied region have come a long way. For some, however, the desperate want of acceptance in the market has them headed right back to where they started from; they’ve simply traded harsh and anemic for overweight and jaded. What we mean is: with the desire to gain respect from a large international audience, many of the wines have become, well, a bit international, i.e. more extracted, oaky, dark. In cases like this, it’s hard to argue that any progress has been made. But, in our humble opinion, plenty has. Asimov’s panel was able to find at least 5 wines that, despite being a bit bigger than one might expect from Sangiovese (even if 20% of the blend is reserved for varietals that provide more color), they enjoyed. Also, it seems that some of our favorite Chianti producers (Castello di Monsanto, Castell’in Villa, Castello di Cacchiano, Isole e Elena, and Podere Le Boncie, just to name a few) may have not made it onto the tasting table at all. Many of these wines have always inspired us in the past, and we wonder if their inclusion would have led to a more stylistically varied sample of the wines. So below you’ll find notes on where to find each wine that the panel covered, along with extra info on a few producers we recommend exploring. Please let us know if there are any Chianti producers that you’ve had positive experiences with in the past and why.

Xoxo

WineChap

Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2006
Where to buy: PJ Wine

Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 2006
Where to buy: Garnet Wines

Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2006
Where to buy: Station Plaza Wine

Riecine Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
Where to buy: 67 Wine & Spirits

Melini Chianti Classico Riserva La Selvanella 2005
Where to buy: PJ Wine, Sherry-Lehmann

Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda 2005
Where to buy: Bedford Wine Merchants

Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2005
Where to buy: Rye Brook Wine and Spirit Shop

Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Riserva Clemente VII 2006
Where to buy: Wine Chateau (NJ)

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
Where to buy: Sherry-Lehmann

Lilliano Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
Where to buy: Wine Chateau (NJ)
Our picks for additional Chianti wines worth exploring (riserva & normale):

Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2006
Where to buy: Chelsea Wine Vault

Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico
Where to buy: Uva (‘05 @ $26; ‘96 @ $27; ‘00 @ $60; ‘82 @ $105), Le Du’s (‘96 @ $26.99)

Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva 2003
Where to buy: Saratoga Wine Exchange

Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
Where to buy: Astor Wines

Le Boncie Chianti Classico ‘Le Trame’ 2005
Where to buy: Crush Wine and Spirits

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