A good-to-very good Chianti Classico Riserva from the heart of the Chianti region…
We very much looked forward to opening this Chianti Classico Riserva after having cellared it for a number of years. As expected, it offered a gorgeous and vibrant ruby-garnet hue, which caught more than one eye during dinner.
Produced in the heart of the Chianti region, hence the Classico designation, this Sangiovese-dominated wine also contained a mix of 20% Malvasia Nera and Merlot. Because it has a minimum of 80% Sangiovese grapes, it still qualifies as a Chianti Classico, although, technically, it is a blend.
Our Castello di Ama offered plenty of complexity both in the nose and on the palate. We enjoyed red cherry, leather, eucalyptus, bay leaf, roasted tomato bisque, and ferrous notes in the bouquet.
In the mouth, this light-bodied red had medium-high acidity and inoffensive drying tannins – most likely thanks to the bottle’s cellaring. Prominent tastes included sour red cherries and cranberries, graphite, and dry earth, with more subtle undertones of saline and bay leaf.
The medium-length finish offered more dry earth, graphite, and bay leaf.
We enjoyed it with homemade meat lasagna and garlic bread, a solid Italian pairing. The wine felt a little overwhelmed by the rich tomato sauce and blend of Italian cheeses, offering up dry earth notes and, to a lesser extent, sour cherries and cranberries. Perhaps pairing the wine with pizza or spaghetti would have been better.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 86/100.
Value: 2.5/5. For us, we would definitely finish the bottle and feel pleased with our selection. Saying that, if we needed another bottle, we would opt for a different Chianti Classico Riserva to see what else the region has to offer.
The Bottle Details…
Name: Castello di Ama Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Vintage: 2009
Producer: Castello di Ama
Region/Country: Tuscany, Italy. DOCG.
Grape Varietal(s): 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera and Merlot (exact proportions unknown)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Consumed: At home during a cool autumn evening.
Cost: $34.95 CAD
Bottle Presentation: Clean, classic, “classico” label that would look at home on any shelf showcasing wines from Tuscany. The silver foil top looked a little out of place in contrast with the brown and cream-coloured label, although it matched the horse and rider trotting across the upper band.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Pale ruby.
Nose: Red cherries, leather, eucalyptus, bay leaf, roasted tomatoes bisque, iron.
Taste: A dry, light-medium bodied red with medium-high acidity, and mild, inoffensive drying tannins. Sour red cherries and cranberries made their presence known, followed by graphite, saline, bay leaf, and dry earth.
Finish: The medium finish gave us more dry earth, bay leaf, and graphite.
Value: 2.5/5 (see above)