Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

I had a 2012 Felsina Berardenga Riserva ($24), I thought it was nice, is that a good wine?

I find that Felsina tends to be reliably good among Chianti Classicos; and the riserva is always a couple of notches better than the regular. I tend to buy both the regular and riserva pretty regularly. I've only had the regular bottling of 2012 and thought it was quite good, so I would buy the riserva with confidence. And that price is decent.

Felsina is very good, one of the most reliable. Their Rancia vineyard bottling can age.

Selvapiana is another good producer.

For some strange reason the 2012 Frescobaldi Nippozano are on special at my local market, maybe $13.

Normally more like $20ish. Pretty solid.

I also like various things from San Felice.

The Selvapiana Bucerchiale Riserva is one of my favorites.

Castello di Fonterutoli is another highlight.

Everything Monsanto does is stellar. Their regular Riserva is a world class QPR and the Il Poggio Riserva is one of Italy's great wines (and cheap given the quality).

I like Felsina but I find the wines a bit boring.

Rocca Di Montegrossi. In addition to what's already been posted.

Thanks, very helpful.

Marchese Antinori Riserva. Every year a winner. Pappadoc turned me on to these.
I second Felsina Rancia.
Frescobaldi Nipozzano is good in good years, mediocre in others.

I just ordered four bottles of 2012 Felsina Berardenga Riserva and two bottles of 2012 Felsina Rancia Riserva.

I also like Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo

The Rancia can take a long time to open up for Chianti, at least in big years. The 04 is still not ready, for example.

Yes on the Vigna del Sorbo.

I'm looking to have some Italian wines mixed in the law office and family Christmas parties coming up.

These are all pretty good threads on this.

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/vie ... it=chianti

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/vie ... it=chianti

http://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/vie ... it=chianti

This is making me thirsty!

But already have a couple of open bottles in the fridge and should finish those before popping open some Chianti

When it comes to Chianti i generally stick to the Rodano CC, Isole E Olena CC, Felsina CC and CCR, Fontodi CC and Antinori Marchese CCR. As far as my higher end Sangiovese purchases go, I buy the Felsina Rancia CCR year in and year out, the Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione, the Isole e Olena Cepparello and the Fontodi Flaccianello. Hope this helps.

The name.

Nic

My favourite chianti used to be Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro-Gold, but I am not sure if it is still a top flight contender.

Vigna Del Sorbo I find a bit souped up...with Cabernet

But otherwise I would echo what Blanquito wrote

For some reason I drink much less chianti or Sangiovese than I used to, but I drink heaps of Barolo and Barbaresco/Nebbiolo

As we discovered last night, the 2004 Rancia is indeed still too young. Very closed at first, the fruit and complexity took a couple of hours to emerge. Will be very good, but I won't open another one for a few years.

Not a ton of Chianti DOCG in the basement, most from Felsina, Fontodi and Monsanto. We have a lot more of the 100% Sangiovese Super Tuscans that can now qualify as Chianti but don't show up that way in my homemade database - Flaccianello, Percarlo, il Carbonaione, etc.

Thanks (I think) for all the enablement.
I just placed a 24 bottle order of Chiantis.

2009 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo $67.99 2 $135.98
2007 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio $49.99 2 $99.98
2010 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Castello di Fonterutoli $63.99 2 $127.98
2010 Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Super Tuscan $69.99 2 $139.98
2010 Rodano Chianti Classico $16.99 2 $33.98
2012 Fontodi Chianti Classico $34.99 2 $69.98
2012 Isole-e-Olena Rosso Toscana Cepparello $66.99 2 $133.98
2013 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese $38.99 2 $77.98
2014 Isole-e-Olena Chianti Classico $22.99 2 $45.98
2012 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Cru Rancia $46.99 6 $281.94

Interesting cross section, Jim. These days we drink little Chianti, having migrated to Barolo, Brunello, and Barbaresco. Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro-Gold is easily obtainable locally, so I keep some of these on hand.

These all are based on recommendations from above BWEers that were I stock at MacArthurs.
I'm trying to get a little more variety in the cellar.
These will of course mostly be consumed young.
I've been enjoying some of these mid-level Chiantis lately.

I made a goat ragu with bucatini last night, which probably needed a Chianti to go with it.

Unf, I opened a young Barolo, which was too tannic, despite 4 hours of aeration.

The SO wouldn't even drink it, so I got her glass too.

Chianti doesn't get enough credit for how friendly it is, it can be drunk young, or with food, or while puttering around.

I'm almost never disappointed by chianti, especially once price is factored in.