My better half is making pappardelle with a bolognese, so I decided to pair that up with some fresh bread and a trio of Chiantis from 2009. This has been a vintage that in my experience (along with 2008 for different reasons) is one of the weaker ones from the past decade, and I have been slowly drinking down my stock to get the wines before they start their downward trek. That said, and with the caveat that you do have to make some effort to track it down due to their spotty US distribution, once again in a head-to-head showing with peers, the Castell’in Villa really shows it’s class. One of those rare wines that is both reasonably priced (at least with respect to the CC) and reliably consistent across both good & bad vintages.
The other point to make here - there are still over 1100 bottles of the Bucerchiale in inventory on CT. I know it’s got the rep for being a long ager - I still have 2004’s in the cellar. But if you haven’t tried a bottle recently, do yourself a favor and pull a cork, because given how it’s showing today, I don’t see a lot of upside to holding this wine.
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2009 Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (6/3/2020)
The nose here is very similar to the Il Poggiale, but it also possesses an earthy note that is pretty intriguing. Best nose of the trio so far.
This wine is also pretty focused on the palate, with good acidity and nice persistence. To be honest, this wine doesn’t even feel like it comes from a hotter vintage. For the vintage, very good.
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2009 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Il Poggiale - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (6/3/2020)
Much less in your face than the Bucerchiale was. The nose does show ripe black & red fruit, but not nearly to the degree of the other wine.
Nicely expansive on the palate, with adequate acidity. A pretty good showing given the vintage.
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2009 Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rùfina Riserva Bucerchiale - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rùfina (6/3/2020)
Quite ripe on the nose - not roasted or overripe, but getting there.
Better balanced on the palate, but still a lot of in your face ripeness - you can tell this wine came from a hot vintage. But no real heat on the finish, so the wine does retain a sense of balance.
At least IMO, best to think about consuming this over the next 1-3 years.
Posted from CellarTracker