2016 Chianti Classico Riserva
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Tasting notes
Barberino Tavernelle. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Youthful, concentrated ruby. Pretty nose of lifted sweet raspberry, focused and pure and with a saline hint. Gorgeous supple and juicy raspberry and cherry with lively acidity cutting through the fruit and long gripping tannins on the finish. Still very youthful and already irresistible. (WS)
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Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Barberino Tavarnelle. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Just mid ruby. Expressive, lifted cherry nose and a sour-cherry palate packed with grainy tannins. Beautiful lightness of weight. (WS)
Offering richness, density and a sharply delineated approach, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is an elegant but also classic expression from this storied estate. The best qualities of this vintage come through here with tight and focused fruit flavors and clear perfumes of wild cherry, rose and button mushroom. There is a lingering note of cherry sweetness that serves to glue the wine's other attributes, like its freshness and integrated tannins, together in harmony. Pair it with a veal and mushroom lasagna. An ample 220,000 bottles were made.
The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is a fabulous wine that punches well above its weight. Dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, leather, lavender and tobacco all run through this wonderfully nuanced, vibrant Riserva. Already expressive and open, the 2016 will drink well for another 15+ years. Although not quite the value it was a few years ago, Monsanto's Riserva delivers serious quality for the money. Sweet floral notes extend this finish beautifully in this mid-weight, gracious, yet nicely structured Riserva from Monsanto.