I spent a few days in Tuscany 2 weeks ago and when there decided to visit some winerys. We chose to visit Capannelle and Felsina both in Chianti. Let's start of Felsina, we had such a great time I didn't take down a lot of notes. So these are more or less impressions. Felsinas Chianti are all 100% Sangiovese.
Farnatella Sauvignon Blanc -05, very fresh and fruity not a typical Sauvignon, Sistri Chardonnay -05 fat and rich with mineral, nice fruit and some oak. Both should work very well with food. The 2003 Pinot Nero had an delicious sent of lilac and licorice, but not much more, would love to try from another year.
Chianti Colinesi, sweet fruit, chocolate, not that acidic and with soft tannin, the Felsina Chianti was similar but more herbal and with more acid and tannin. Not sure of the vintage, probably -05, the Felsina was the better of the two.
Rancia -03, rich with sweet cherries and some fruit, oak is present but not to much. A real crowdpleaser, as were the Fontalloro -03, resembled the Rancia but much more full with complexity. Both wines were good but once again i would like to try these from another vintage. Then a treat at the end, Fontalloro -97 amazing scent of tobacco and coffee, complex with a long finish and nice tanin. Should improve further, as would the -03 Fontalloro and Rancia.
Another treat at the end, Vin Santo -98 I didn't take down any notes at all. But this was by far the best Vin Santo I've ever had. Sweet candied fruit and hazelnuts in a perfect mix.
Then on to Capanelle, the first thing that hit me was how clean everything in the winery was. Vats, barriques, floors, bottles everything was immaculate clean and the wines weren't bad either.
-01 Chianti Classico, if I remember correctly 90% Sangiovese, the remaining 10% Colorino and Canaiolo. Earthy with red berries and herbs both on nose and palate, tannic but not that acidic. Became more evolved and enjoyable after some time in the glass. Nice Chianti but perhaps not at the asking price.
-00 Solare 80% Sangiovese, 20% Black Malvasia. More complex than the Chianti, oak is present. Very smooth and easy to drink, needs some additional time in the cellar. I'll have a glass of this anytime, but more than one glass? Not so sure.
-99 Vino da tavola 100% Sangiovese, evolved dark fruit, maturing but still some time left. Tanins are still very present.
Then tonight, a treat after a day of cleaning. 1996 Chateau du Domaine de L'Eglise
Opened a 2 hours in advance, decanted and poured immediatly.Orange red color with watery edges, looks it's age. The nose is mature and fully evolved, some VA, dark fruit and somewhat balsamic. It needed some time in the glass to come together. The palate is somewhat of an disappointment, evolved of course, maybe even to much so.
Very smooth, tannins are almost gone but there's some fruit left,not much though. The palate too became better after some time in the glass. First couple of sips were very "thin" and I didn't enjoy it, however it seemed to gain some complexity along the way and became a nice drink.