Top 10 Favorite Chianti Classico Wines From The 2007 Vintage Presentation

2. Rodano Viacosta Chianti Classico Riserva 2001

Deep black almandine ruby. Deft bouquet, with red berry fruit supported by peppery spice, clean brambly notes, and underlying acidity. On the palate full and rich, with powerful red berry fruit that gains direction from deft citric/mineral acidity, and is supported by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a long clean tart berry fruit finish. Very nice in a traditional key, and will drink quite well with red meats off the grill or out of the oven -- a porterhouse cut would approach perfection here now, and it will also age nicely, for those blessed with the patience necessary to give it time.
Score: 88-90

3. Vignamaggio Castello di Monnalisa Chianti Classico Riserva 2001

Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections. Intense bouquet, with cherry and forest berry fruit laced with cedar; the effect is haunting. On the palate full, with rich red berry fruit that gains direction from acidity that's enough to guide but not such that it overshadows, and is supported by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a rich berry fruit finish. Quite elegant, and though it will do very interesting things in the future, one could already enjoy it now with a porterhouse steak or a rich, tasty roast. Well worth seeking out to set aside for a special occasion.
Score: 88-90

4. Collelungo Chianti Classico Riserva 2003

Deep black cherry ruby with almandine rim. Powerful, frankly oaky bouquet, with fairly intense ripe berry fruit that has jammy overtones showing though cedar and vanilla spice. On the palate it's rich, with powerful red berry fruit supported by moderate acidity that provides direction quite well, thank you, and by deft tannins that owe much of their sweetness and structure to wood, flowing into a clean vanilla laced berry fruit finish. It's very international in style, and if you like this style you will like it very much, especially with grilled or roasted meats.
Score: 88-90

5. Cantalici Chianti Classico 2004

Lively cherry ruby with black reflections. Looks cheeky. Deft, elegant bouquet, with slightly tart cherry fruit with clean spicy overtones and the herbal aromas of a Tuscan field in summer. Graceful. On the palate it's medium bodied, with rich cherry fruit supported by deft sour cherry acidity, and by tannins that still have a youthful burr, but will smooth nicely with time. It brings to mind a pretty, wide-eyed teen; as it stands it will drink quite well with succulent grilled meats, and in a year's time it will be something you might also enjoy far from the table, in a non-reverential situation.
Score: 88-90

6. Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico 2004

Lively slightly almandine cherry ruby. Bright bouquet, with brambly tart cherry fruit mingled with some spice from grapes, and hints of sea salt. Quite a bit going on, and welcoming too. On the palate it's medium bodied, with bright sour cherry fruit supported by clean sweet tannins that have a warm slightly citric burr, and flow into a long clean warm sour fruit finish. Great balance, and is an extremely nice example of Chianti in a traditional key; it will transform a simple platter of mixed grilled meats into a memorable occasion. Well worth seeking out.
Score: 88-90

7. Fattoria La Ripa Chianti Classico 2004

Lively cherry ruby with black reflections. Elegant bouquet, with rich red berry fruit supported by deft acidity and subtle floral accents. Quite a bit going on. On the palate it's medium bodied, with bright cherry fruit supported by clean almost citric acidity, and by ample sweet tannins that flow into a long tart fruit finish. Quite nice in a distinctly traditional key, and if you like this style you will like it very much. Even if you don't, you will find that it contributes a great deal to a platter of mixed grilled meats, or with succulent roasted meats, e.g. lamb, or hearty stews.
Score: 88

8. Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva 2003

Deep black almandine ruby. Fairly rich bouquet, with bright red berry fruit supported by considerable warmth and quite a bit of alcohol; the heat of the vintage is quite apparent, but nicely controlled. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful cherry fruit supported by clean rich berry fruit acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that lead into a clean berry fruit finish, A very nice expression of the vintage, which is a bit too aggressive to drink by itself, but will drink nicely with foods, especially succulent roasts or hearty stews.
Score: 87-8

9. Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico 2005

Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections. Powerful, pungent bouquet with peppery notes and eucalyptus mingled with red berry fruit. On the palate it's medium bodied, and graceful, with fairly rich slightly sour cherry fruit with some red currant acidity, supported by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean sour berry fruit finish with bitter accents. It's not powerful, but displays a lacy elegance that will increase with time, I think. If you like smooth soft wines (e.g. Merlot) it won't work for you, but if you like this style, it will drink very well with foods.
Score: 86-8

10. Castello di Meleto Pieve di Spaltenna Chianti Classico 2004

Bright cherry ruby with black reflections. Bright bouquet, with brambly herbal notes mingling with sour cherry fruit, some pencil shavings, and underlying black currants. Fresh. On the palate it's medium bodied and deft, with bright slightly sour berry fruit supported by lively brambly acidity, and by tannins that have a cheeky greenish cast to them, flowing into a warm sour fruit finish. Quite nice, and will add considerably to a platter of mixed grilled meats, or perhaps even a platter of fried meats. A delightful food wine, and you can expect the bottle to go quickly.
Score: 87