TN: 2010 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva

B_Buzzini · October 21, 2015, 12:22am

2010 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (10/20/2015)
Fantastico! Big step up from the reg….this is dark and really smooooth….creamy black cherry, plum, blackberry fruit….really great dryness to the ripe fruit…dusty woods, graphite powder, cherry/menthol spice……very complex and inviting…drinks well right out of the gate….damp forest, fresh herbs, dried blood orange/roses/cherry……licorice….bella florals galore!! SO SO good…especially for the $! (94 pts.)

Scott_Watkins · October 21, 2015, 1:52am

Shhh shhh my QPR of the year.

Jay_T · October 21, 2015, 2:06am

Has anyone tried the base Chianti Classico? Is there any compelling reason to buy both given the small price difference?

craig_v · October 21, 2015, 2:47am

This wine is no secret here. One of the very few wines I’ve bought more than 3 btls of. Remarkably, its still on the shelves at a great price.

Steve_Brickley · October 21, 2015, 2:49am

Liked this one so much I did a rare (for me) case buy and a magnum.

craig_v · October 21, 2015, 3:05am

It inspires that sort of buying. I still have a hard time not grabbing more when I see it on the shelf, even though, I have plenty.

Steve_Brickley · October 21, 2015, 3:26am

I suggest a 7AM decant for a 7PM readiness and even an overnight cork pull would help. This is a mighty wine on PNP.

Jurgen_Steinke · October 21, 2015, 9:13am

Great wine to a great price.

Frank_Drew · October 22, 2015, 4:09pm

Thanks for the note, Brian; I’ve tried one from a six pack I bought and drank it over three evenings. It was nice on night 1 but really, really nice on nights 2 and 3, which is exactly as I’d hoped.

Another qpr champ to look for is the 2012 Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino; not hard to find at around $20 and worth twice the price, IMO.

Jim_Erwin · October 22, 2015, 4:22pm

How do the 2010 and 2011 Riserva compare?

Robert_Pavlovich · October 22, 2015, 4:52pm

There really is no comparison between the Classico and the Riserva, and not much of a jump in price.

DougS · October 22, 2015, 4:53pm

Yes, I had them side by side, and I’m only buying/drinking the Riserva.

By the way, the 2010 Fontalloro is amazing.

etomasi · October 22, 2015, 5:15pm

yeah, the regular 2010 classico was not that impressive. I felt it needed alot more time.

KatrinaBI · October 22, 2015, 5:51pm

Last night we had a delicious bottle of the 2001 base CC. Still very youthful color with wonderful depth and some preserved fruit notes just beginning to emerge. Tannins nicely resolved (a big clump left in bottle after we carefully decanted). Still many years to go and such a bargain at the original price.

I bought both the 2010 Felsina CCs and CCRs, but have tucked them all away til at least 2020.

David_K2 · October 22, 2015, 6:05pm

How does the Riserva compare with the Rancia? (Either this vintage or just as a general matter.)

Chris_Seiber · October 22, 2015, 6:38pm

In the past, I’ve felt like the Rancia is riper, more generous, more concentrated, and more structured of the two. But I haven’t opened any of my 2010 Rancia.

Daniel_McIntosh · October 22, 2015, 9:02pm

This.

Jeff_Wiltse · October 23, 2015, 12:17am

Thanks for the note. I recently bought a case of this for a ridiculously low price from Vinopolis in Portland. Waiting for my next pasta dinner to open a bottle. When that happens, I will add a tasting note.

Sean_Moore · October 23, 2015, 11:04pm

We just had the 2010 Riserva a few nights ago and it’s pretty special for the price. I also appreciate that it’s generally available at local grocers when we need a quick Chianti fix.

(On a side note, I just found and bought 6 of the 2010 Rancia for the absurd price of $26.99 at Seattle Wine Co. in Bellevue. I even asked if the price was incorrect after mentioning that the Riserva is priced at this point.)

Scott_Watkins · October 23, 2015, 11:13pm

Wow! thats a good price…I thought $37 from Wine Library was a great price?