Chianti

I'd like to pick up a few bottles of Chianti this week...does anyone have any favourable recommendations? I'm looking for something in the $20-35 dollar range.

Thanks!

Erik

Reply to
Erik Hornung
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Where are you, Erik?

Anders

Reply to
Anders Tørneskog

As Anders says, knowing where you are let's people make more informed advice.

But, as a generality, I'd look for Chianti Classicos from the "3 Fs" (Felsina, Fontodi, and Fonterutoli) or Isole e Olena. The regular CCs should be $15-25US most places, and the riservas and single vineyards closer to $35. Regular di Ama is usually about $35, but I don't think it deserves that much of a premium over the others, myself. Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Reply to
Dale Williams

The reason I asked was simply that the O.P.'s Scandinavian name combined with a price range in $ (Hong Kong, Australia?) gave no clue as to his locality... I was a wee bit surprised to see that all the above mentioned were available in Norway, though on special order, which means you'll have to wait 4-5 days to get your bottles at the local shop. Prices ranged about 25-30USD by the way, also for the di Ama. Anders

Reply to
Anders Tørneskog

ok, if you meant $20-35 CAD, that's about $15-25 USD these days? So the basic CCs I suggested would still work; riservas might be pushing it. Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Reply to
Dale Williams

Yes, I'd go for the regular Felsina CC in that price range. FWIW, I was absolutely in agreement with your earlier recommendations, Dale.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

Felsina is good up to and including the 2000 vintage. I found the 2001 to be horribly disappointing - basically a bottle of red acid with little fruit, but still at a hefty price.

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

You can't go wrong with a Ruffino Chianti Classico. The Melini is very good also.

Reply to
jspill

Anyone familiar with the Vignamaggio Chianti Classico Riserva? My local stores have it "on sale" for $USD 22.99. I haven't tried it before, but I'd like to pick up a few bottles if it's a decent chianti at a reasonable price?

Reply to
Ian Mundell

This is the listing of the best Chianti wines according to Gambero Rosso

2004 guide.

the full listing can be found here:

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Chianti Classico Castello di Ama ?00 Castello di Ama

Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio ?00 Barone Ricasoli

Chianti Classico Castello di Fonterutoli ?00 Castello di Fonterutoli

Chianti Classico Cellole Riserva ?00 San Fabiano Calcinaia

Chianti Classico Doccio a Matteo Riserva ?00 Caparsa

Chianti Classico Grosso Sanese ?01 Podere Il Palazzino

Chianti Classico Poggio Rosso Riserva ?00 San Felice

Chianti Classico Rancia Riserva ?00 Fattoria di Felsina

Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro ?00 Tenimenti Ruffino

Chianti Classico Vigna il Poggiale Riserva ?00 Castellare di Castellina

Chianti Rufina Montesodi ?01 Marchesi de? Frescobaldi

Reply to
t.schnack

Yes, I am familiar with the Vignamaggio Chianti Classico Riserva. I have a few of the 1999 vintage here at home and they are very tasty. They got three glasses from the Gambero Rosso guide. I think the 2000 version aswell.

It's a quite modern Chianti, but hey, which Chianti isnt these days...

I bought my bottles in an enoteca in Greve in Chianti for 19 euro. So,

23 $US doesnt sound to bad at all.

Happy tasting!

Gio The Netherlands

Ian Mundell wrote:

Reply to
Gio

I wouldn't take any list of top Chianti for serious that doesn't list La Massa's "Giorgio Primo". Does anyone - Mike T.? - know why it's not included here?

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

Can't answer, anyway it was awarded by the same guide in the

2001, 2002 and 2003 editions. The 2003 listing seems to be not available in the English site.

Casasilia ?99 Poggio al Sole Castello di Ama ?99 Castello di Ama Castello di Brolio ?99 Barone Ricasoli Castello di Fonterutoli ?99 Castello di Fonterutoli Castello di Monna Lisa Ris. ?99 Villa Vignamaggio Giorgio Primo ?00 La Massa Grosso Sanese ?00 Il Palazzino Ris. ?99 Carobbio Ris. ?99 Riecine Ris. ?99 San Vincenti Vigneto San Marcellino Ris. ?99 Rocca di Montegrossi

Reply to
t.schnack

True, it had been on the list 8 years in a row, why the disappearance in 2004?

I can ask Gigi Piumatti when I see him next, but two things come to mind.

One, the guide is a collaboration between two very different entities, Gambero Rosso AND Slow Food. The way they split the tastings nationwide changes each year, and who knows who got to judge the Chianti Classico.

Two, in 2004 the guide responded to some of the protests of many of us Slow Food types, and recognizing that the guide had become, paradoxically, an accomplice of the overwhelming Italian tendency towards overoaked high-tech international wines, it finally decided to make the swing and penalize wineries that used oak to flavour wine (as opposed to maturing it), that used concentrators, or that used excessively heavy oenological tricks.

How Giorgio Primo is affected by the above considerations, I don't know.

Mike

Reply to
Mike Tommasi

Thank you Mike. Anyhow, I'll be in Tuscany for the "3 consorzi" manifestazione next week, and chances are good that I'll meet Giampaolo Motta to ask about hs opinion. (It might be the oak issue, since he is quite a barrique follower - but then the wine takes it easily, at least imho.)

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

it's not included here?

manifestazione next week, and chances are good that I'll meet Giampaolo Motta to ask about hs opinion. (It might be the oak issue, since he is quite a barrique follower - but then the wine takes it easily, at least imho.)

I believe the reason is that the Gambero Rosso will only give one 3G per winery per year, and La Massa/Giampaolo is releasing his new Super Tuscan (1/3 Sang., 1/3 Cab Sav., 1/3 Merlot) to take place of his less expensive CC. The new Super Tuscan '01 is rated 3G and the Giorgio Primo '01 will most likely receive 3G next time. It's more great planning for the release of his new killer red, then anything else! I can't wait to try it! I understand it won't be in the US market until some time in late March.

Reply to
Joe

The guys on IHV have been helpful. Apparently the winery has delayed the release of Giorgio Primo by a year, so the 2001 is not out yet, hence it could not be tasted...

Mike

Reply to
Mike Tommasi

Usenet, mon amour ... :-)

Thanks for the info, Michele.

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

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