TN - 2005 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva

ToddFrench · March 4, 2009, 3:28pm

I don’t have too many details about this Chianti Classico, but it was opened at our Los Angeles Offline, and I had the privilege of taking it home. I recall at Fritto Misto that this CC was quite sweet - I’ve never experienced a ‘sweet’ CC before, and frankly, it was not that enjoyable. I recall Yoni agreed with me at the time (‘Iknowright?’).

Yesterday, I opened it back up, and it was quite wonderful. Somehow, the sweetness went away, and it was far more balanced. Excellent with food (even a heavily marinated (Mediterranean) chicken breast), medium body, some semblance of a midpalate (there wasn’t before) and a decent finish. It was quite enjoyable on its own as well, and that was odd for me, as typically CC’s are not exactly great sippers.

[edited with correct designation - Riserva]

mike_pobega · March 4, 2009, 3:30pm

Todd F r e n c h:

I don’t have too many details about this Chianti Classico, but it was opened at our Los Angeles Offline, and I had the privilege of taking it home. I recall at Fritto Misto that this CC was quite sweet - I’ve never experienced a ‘sweet’ CC before, and frankly, it was not that enjoyable. I recall Yoni agreed with me at the time (‘Iknowright?’).

Yesterday, I opened it back up, and it was quite wonderful. Somehow, the sweetness went away, and it was far more balanced. Excellent with food (even a heavily marinated (Mediterranean) chicken breast), medium body, some semblance of a midpalate (there wasn’t before) and a decent finish. It was quite enjoyable on its own as well, and that was odd for me, as typically CC’s are not exactly great sippers. For $12, this is one I have to seek out.

Nice note.
Chianti? With food? Sacrilege!
I noted on the 05 Davinci Reserva last week. One to look out for.

Steve_Eisenhauer · March 4, 2009, 3:34pm

It’s been a reliable QPR for some time. Good to see it’s still worthwhile.

ToddFrench · March 4, 2009, 5:17pm

I just need some LOCAL wineshops to get some! My Chianti Classico purchases are almost always from Trader Joe’s, so I’ve been anti-CC for a while, understandably.

Sarah_Warner · March 4, 2009, 5:34pm

Todd, where did you get the idea that wine is $12. It’s $35 SRP. It’s the Chianti Classico Riserva you had, no?–a Tre Bicchieri wine.

Sweet? You thought it was sweet? Bizarro. Your palate is weird.

ToddFrench · March 4, 2009, 5:39pm

I looked up the pricing of the standard bottling, that’s why, but yes, it is the Riserva. No wonder it is such a fine wine, but nonetheless, it was showing quite poorly (no offense, of course) at Fritto Misto, and yes, it was ‘sweet’. I sampled it, commented on it being sweet, as that really threw me for a loop - since it is Chianti Classico, after all - and Yoni said he found the same thing in it. It was also the bottle with the most left in it - too bad it wasn’t opened earlier, as perhaps whatever was showing ‘sweet’ needed to blow off. It’s kicking now, that’s for sure.

But what do I know? My palate is ‘weird’.

G_Greenbaum · March 4, 2009, 6:06pm

I’m sure you had lingering vin santo breath…

ToddFrench · March 4, 2009, 6:14pm

Sarah_Warner · March 4, 2009, 6:26pm

Todd F r e n c h:

Sarah Warner:

Todd F r e n c h:

For $12, this is one I have to seek out.

Todd, where did you get the idea that wine is $12. It’s $35 SRP. It’s the Chianti Classico Riserva you had, no?–a Tre Bicchieri wine.

Sweet? You thought it was sweet? Bizarro. Your palate is weird.

I looked up the pricing of the standard bottling, that’s why, but yes, it is the Riserva. No wonder it is such a fine wine, but nonetheless, it was showing quite poorly (no offense, of course) at Fritto Misto, and yes, it was ‘sweet’. I sampled it, commented on it being sweet, as that really threw me for a loop - since it is Chianti Classico, after all - and Yoni said he found the same thing in it. It was also the bottle with the most left in it - too bad it wasn’t opened earlier, as perhaps whatever was showing ‘sweet’ needed to blow off. It’s kicking now, that’s for sure.

But what do I know? My palate is ‘weird’.

Yes, it’s weird. You’re weird. I’m weird, the wine is weird.

I feel weird.

Weird.

LOL!