Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 1997 (label) was pretty well dead with a meaty, rye-bread aroma; hollow, tannic and lifeless.
Frescobaldi Motesodi 1997 (label) was pretty similar to the Fonterutoli except the flesh hadn't completely decayed from the bones yet.
Antinori CC Riserva Badia a Passignano 1997 (label) was alive! And this was actually pretty good. A nice, lively red fruited aroma, a very ripe style of Sangiovese but recognizable as the grape. Fleshy and obviously a warm year style but this has aged well and had a lovely tannins, though was a bit low in acidity, so it was refreshing despite all the ripeness. Good stuff.
Villa Cafaggio San Martino 1997 (label) was a dead, hollow, tannic shell.
Isole e Olena Cepparello 1997 (label) was pretty similar to the Cafaggio in seeming dull and lifeless aromatically; the palate did have a bit of flesh clinging to it, however. Still pretty well zombified.
Felsina Fontalloro 1997 (label) was a fleshy, red fruited wine that has aged well (but I wouldn't keep it any longer). A ripe style, sweet, low acid, good tannins. Not great, but certainly not something to spit away in disgust. Decent wine.
After a corked Vigorello we moved onto Antinori Tignanello 1997 (label) which was alive! And a perfectly decent wine where the new oak has integrated. But it is a big, fleshy, ripe wine. Rich and sweet. Nice enough; this was the only wine which I felt could use more age.
Ruffino Cabreo il Borgo 1997 (label) was alive and was a very dark toned, fleshy beast. Rather too candied and vulgar and slutty for my tastes.
Frescobaldi Lamaione 1997 (label) was a dark, inky, slightly hollow wine. Some thought it was a bit corked.
Frescobaldi Mormoreto 1997 (label) was alive and kicking. Sweet aromas, candied but with a Cab lift. Too much toffee. Too slutty.
Fontodi Syrah Case Via 1997 (label) was a smoky, dark Syrah, but despite much oak and toffee it had some nice meaty aromas. But still not really to my taste: too thick, sweet and slutty.
Then cleaning up, we had some real wines!
Fanny Sabre Bourgogne Rouge 2010 (label) was beautiful. Bright, red, elegant, pure fruit; delightfully light and nervous. Lovely. I hadn't heard of this Domaine before, but I must more of her wines.
Montaribaldi Barolo Borzoni 2006 (label) was pretty nice. Served blind I thought it was a Montepulciano since it had that nutty, red fruit aroma; even when revealed I didn't find it particularly Barolo-like. An easy going, approachable, cheap Barolo.
Podere le Boncie CC "Le Trame" 2008 (label) was its usual lovely self. Wonderful purity and grace and elegance; palate-cleansing structure; outstandingly moreish. Lovely.
