2021 Chianti Classico
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Tasting notes
Pouring a youthful ruby/magenta color, the 2021 Chianti Classico offers a gorgeous nose of pure black raspberry, candied violets, wet stones, and sweet Mediterranean herbs. Juicy and inviting, it has ultra-fine tannins, mouthwatering, balanced acidity, and a long, clean finish. It is a lovely wine that shows its structure on the finish, so even though it’s hard to resist now, it’s going to age gracefully over the next 10 years. Aldo Bianchi purchased this historic estate in 1961, and in 1986 they began excavation to build the incredible 300-meter tunnel that today is home to their historic cellar, with bottles dating back to 1962. (That vintage was the estate’s first as well as that of the denomination.) Il Poggio was the first wine in the region to be labelled as a single vineyard. The third generation is now in charge, with Laura Bianchi having taken over from her father Fabrizio. In the cellar, they work with Slavonian oak for the aging of the wines, which display exceptional refinement with a Burgundian slanting aesthetic.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A classic blend of 90% Sangiovese and smaller parts Canaiolo and Colorino, the Castello di Monsanto 2021 Chianti Classico represents an affordable and well-distributed release of 60,000 bottles. It shows cherry and redcurrant with violet, blood orange and crushed stone. This estate was among the first to embrace the very streamlined and elegant approach to Sangiovese that is so popular today.
The 2021 Chianti Classico is outrageously beautiful. Rich, dark and layered, the 2021 is packed with dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and tobacco. Readers will find a Chianti Classico endowed with striking inner sweetness and exceptional balance. The 2021 is one of the best editions of this wine I have ever tasted.
San Donato in Poggio. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Cask sample. Mid-to-deep youthful ruby. Firm and deep cherry on the nose with hints of raspberry and savoury-salty touches. Great depth of fruit on the palate with a compact layer of tannins. Impressive and boldly structured. (WS)