On a very rainy, windy Saturday here in the Philly burbs, as the aroma from my wife’s Italian sausage, peppers & onions permeates throughout the house - if that doesn’t warm you up on a damp, chilly April evening, nothing will!
Color is still a dark ruby at it’s core, lightening out to a translucent ruby on the rim. More black-fruited than red on the nose, with a balsamico accent - this is still a young nose, despite the ripeness of the vintage.
Full-bodied for chianti, and surprisingly ample acidity buttressing the fruit (I say surprising because the heat/ripeness from 2003 certainly caused some concern regarding low acidity wines in Tuscany). Sweet cherries & blackberries on the palate - from a flavor profile, none of that sour cherry characteristic, and that may be indicative of the ripeness of the fruit. Nice finish, and nothing here to suggest that this wine won’t last for many years, but I find it atypically ripe.
From 375, 13.5% alcohol per the label.