WTN: 2 Chianti

Az.Ag. il Borghetto, Chianti Classico, 'Monte de Sassi', 2007
Light cherry red with floral cherry nose; ripe cherry-berry flavors, medium-bodied despite the 14.5% alcohol. Cabernet notes shows on the blackcurrant finish. A soft wine, best for current consumption. [80% sangiovese, 10% merlot, 10% Cabernet sauvignon] B+. Good value, selling in mid-low teens.

Le Cinciole Podere, Chianti Classico, 'Petresco' Riserva, 2006
If this is a harbinger of Tuscan sangiovese in 2006, I'm on board. Showing cranberry, tart cherry, medium boy with bright acidity, Touch of oak tannins on the end, tastes fairly old school. Enjoyable, even on the third day. B+

Well excellent news. Was it a good vintage in `06/7?
I still have some `05s here, might be time to see how they are drinking eh.

Bob, I believe both were ripe years, but haven't had any besides these two, but I tend to like riper (when not artificially induced) years for sangiovese-based wines since it tends to smooth out the natural austerity the grape tends toward. I also liked the fact that the oak component was in the background and not the highlight, which probably helped their drinkability.

Hi Mark -

Thank you for the notes. Both 2006 and 2007 seem to have been good years for Chianti - maybe a bit riper than usual, but as you said, not necessarily unbalanced in most cases. These two producers are new to me, though.