2019 San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (12/10/2022)
– decanted approx. 30 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 1.5 hrs on Day 1; revisited on Day 3 –
NOSE: Day 1: initially pretty tight; savory strawberry; a touch floral; red currants. Day 3: balsamic cherry; still pretty reserved.
BODY: dark ruby color of medium depth; clear; medium-light body.
TASTE: Day 1: moderately tannic; medium acidity; red/purple fruit mix. Day 3: tannic and tight. Overall, not particularly interesting right now, and – quite frankly – I’d be lying if I were to claim there was some obvious complexity lurking beneath the surface. Don’t really know how to call this one, besides strongly recommending to HOLD for now.
I’ve been drinking it in the past weeks, I’ve found it drinkable (as in “drinkable right now”) but it was a step below the 2016 i’ve tried I believe fall of 2020, so I believe an extra aging might do good!
I had the 2016 San Giusto in a tasting of '16s, and it was very disappointing – as were most of them. I’m not sure if it’s a stage for the vintage, but most were extremely tannic and underfruited. Little pleasure was had. (Even the Felsina Berardenga, which was wonderful two years ago, seemed to have rather underripe tannins.)
The refrigerated leftovers of the San Giusto did not improve, either, so I’m not not sure where it’s heading. (Surprisingly, the '16 Monsanto, which was really tart on release a couple of years ago, showed well, as did Kermit Lynch’s Castagnoli.)
I also opened an '07 San Giusto, purchased on release, which was still pretty tannic and the flavors were a bit tired. I felt it would have been better five years ago.
I opened today the bottle of 19 to drink the last glass of 19 in it, it’s been sitting a bit longe then usual but it’s not uncharted territory and I have to second the op on this, it was tight on the palate and noticeably more tannic. Overall not the greatest Chianti, it was the only Chianti i’ve drunk in more than one vintage but I’m not sure I’m going to buy it again sooner (another vintage i mean)