2004 San Marcellino Chianti Classico Riserva

The estate's top Chianti bottling, the 2004 Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino is made from 100% Sangiovese and spent 18 months in French Allier oak barrels. It reveals a powerful, brooding expression of scorched earth, tobacco, dark fruit and toasted oak. The layers of fruit need bottle age to gain volume and depth while the building tannins require time to settle down even though the use of French oak is very refined. This wine of superb weight and density offers tremendous potential. Readers looking for a powerful style of Sangiovese will love this wine, but patience is required. Simply put, this is a terrific effort from Rocca di Montegrossi.

The estate’s top Chianti bottling, the 2004 Chianti Classico Riserva San Marcellino is made from 100% Sangiovese and spent 18 months in French Allier oak barrels. It reveals a powerful, brooding expression of scorched earth, tobacco, dark fruit and toasted oak. The layers of fruit need bottle age to gain volume and depth while the building tannins require time to settle down even though the use of French oak is very refined. This wine of superb weight and density offers tremendous potential. Readers looking for a powerful style of Sangiovese will love this wine, but patience is required. Simply put, this is a terrific effort from Rocca di Montegrossi. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Importers: Elite Brands USA, Kalamazoo, MI; tel. (269) 382-6605; K & L Imports, Redwood City, CA; tel. (800) 247-5987