WTN: Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga 1999

This is the version of Felsina CCR made for export, I was told. It is the white label CCR rather than the grey label CCR Rancia. Very intense nose of ripe cherries and balsamic. Bright medium purple color. Medium body, 13.5% abv. Dark cherries, balsamic, sandalwood, earth and spice. Still a bit tannic. It opened up nicely after about a couple of hours from uncorking. This one has some five more years to hit its peak. Medium finish with some cinnamon aftertaste. Felsina never disappoints me. Excellent with pan seared steaks and a tomato, pasta and hard boiled egg salad.

Nice note on the Felsina. I too had the opportunity a few weeks ago to taste this wine, though in the 2003 version. I recall that when it was first uncorked, there was very little on nose and semi-sweet and confected fruit on the palate (not surprising, perhaps, given the vintage). With some air time over several hours, it really opened up and showed some interesting structure. Not sure how this particular wine will cellar, but I came away with the same impression you had - Felsina is a real class act.