Castello di Verrazzano, Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, 2009

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Over-ripe nose, vanilla and concentrated sweet fruit and tannins on the palate. Over-extracted and stodgy.

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Jubilant cherry fruit and tobacco. Big, complete Riserva – hard to drink right now, nothing relaxed – furious fruit and tannin, but exemplary regarding ageing potential – this will unfold beautifully.

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Very exotic and stylish nose. Incense, rose hip, juniper, Bovril, a selection of non-Sangiovese notes conspires to distract from what this wine has to offer. What it offers on the palate is a very ripe, fig-like experience with low acidity and over-ripe fruit.