CHIANTI CLASSICO, WINE BY THE GLASS TEST: THE VINTAGES (2010 AND 2009 RESERVE) TASTED CONFIRMED THE EXCELLENCE OF GALLO NERO. 2010 ROBUST AND INTENSE, 2009 WARM AND MEDITERRANEAN

Chianti Classico wines passed the wine by the glass test with flying colors and confirmed its production area as one of the top in the world. At the “Preview” dedicated to tasting new vintages on the market, the ”Tuscan Prince” convinced all, with its two vintages: 2010 more robust and responsive while the 2009 Reserve warmer and Mediterranean, a mouthful of pleasure with few that equal it in Italy. The “Chianti Classico collection” vintages reviewed by the Wine News staff (Franco Pallini and Antonio Boco), confirmed the excellence of Gallo Nero and its ability to “feel the territory”, testing two vintages that in many ways are complete opposites. The 2010 vintage is very promising and has a definite style of its own: in a word, it is already very good. Overall, the wines are fragrant and pleasurable, the kind that one sip leads to another with lively acidity that makes them easy to drink. This vintage reminds us that the tradition of these wines is in the “limelight” on the table, where they really shine.
But, there’s more.
These wines can also be “misleading”: they seem simple and smooth at first, but they age extremely well, a common element in only the best winemaking in the world. The 2009 Reserve is a different story. Rich sometimes complex, warm and decidedly Mediterranean, it knows how to highlight its key features, starting with its fleshiness, which however is never excessive. The result is a series of elegant wines with a pleasing flavor.

Among the 2010 Chianti Classico wines, Badia a Coltibuono is a small masterpiece (and this is not the first time, either): the aroma is fresh and citrus and its taste progresses to flavorful and aggressive. The Bandini-Villa Pomona’s wine is also very good. It is a simple wine that has the typical aromas of the area and a persistent, gentle taste. Chianti Classico 2009 Castellare di Castellina is elegant and intense. Vigna Grospoli del Castello delle Stinche of Lamole is definitely intriguing, though, in part, is still young. Chianti Classico 2010 Montornello of Bibbiano is softer and riper than Villa Cerna of the Cecchi winery. The Chianti Classico of Fattoria Le Fonti is enjoyable while that of Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano and the Castle of San Donato in Perano both have good pulse. Chianti Classico Fonterutoli of Castle Fonterutoli is robust and still young, while the Isole e Olena is fruity and subtle, almost sharp, and resembles the style of Villa Cigliano. The Rubiolo Gagliole Chianti Classico is supple and tasty while Castle Vicchiomaggio’s is enjoyable. Among the 2009 Reserves, Rancia Felina’s wine has good balance. It has elegant aromas even though not yet fully expressed, worthy viaticum to a strong progression of taste. The Montegiachi Farmers Reserve has fine aromas and an elegant mouth with good final momentum. Le Baroncole of San Giusto a Tentennano has a strong taste and spicy aroma, probably still young. Villa Pomona’s Reserve has typical, austere aromas and minerals and its strong point is its aggressive taste, like Campitello Monteraponi’s Reserve. Rocca Guicciarda of Barone Ricasoli’s Reserve is solid and that of Capannelle is elegant. Castellare of Castellina’s Reserve is robust, which is a feature found also in Castle of Radda’s Reserve, which are probably the most successful of all. Fattoria San Pancrazio’s 2009 Reserve and Vigna Bastignano di Villa Calcinaia’s Reserve are both absolutely enjoyable. The Cecchi family’s Reserve is more robust and its best version is probably Villa Cerna. Brancaia is more modern, and definitely well made.

Tasting Chianti Classico wines is a sensorial pleasure that has very few equals in Italy. They never disappoint and continually confirm the strength of the production area, making it one of the best in the world.