The Honest Pour with John Lenart

We wrap up our visit to Chianti Classico with a visit to Castello Monterinaldi in Radda. Searching for the terroir of each commune of the region has proven to be a challenge as so many microclimates and soil types exist withing each commune. However, matching clones of sangiovese to each microclimate within an estate is an important job at Castello Monterinaldi. This effort leads to some special wine. I met with Fabrizio Benedetti to discuss this and of course to taste some delicious wines.

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Fabrizio Benedetti, Castello Monterinaldi

2016 Castello Monterinaldi Chianti Classico

Aromas of dark cherry, earth, cocoa, and toffee. On the palate flavors of black cherry, espresso, fresh herbs and fine tannins in this food friendly well balanced wine

SRP: $16

2016 Castello Monterinaldi, Chianti Classico, Vignetto Boscone

A special bottling from an expressive single plot within the Monterinaldi estate. This wine sees no wood and is 100% sangiovese. Quite pretty aroma of elegant fruit, hints of flowers and minerality. On the palate gentle tannins support pure dark cherry flavor. Fresh acidity balance out this expression of the earth and fruit.

SRP: $38

2015 Castello Monterinaldi, Chianti Classico Riserva

Complex aroma of decayed forest floor, leather, and violets. On the palate sour cherry leads the way and balances with moderate fine tannin and mouthwatering acidity. Cellar for 10 to 20 years for a special treat.

SRP: $28

While some wineries take centuries to figure out which clones or massal selections work best in their vineyards, the brilliant minds of Felsina have accomplished the same in just five decades. Today, third generation winemaker Giovanni Poggiali maintains his family’s commitment to producing wines that express the distinct terroir of each of Felsina’s vineyards and dedication to purity of sangiovese.

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Giovanni Poggiali, Felsina

2017 Felsina Berardegna Chianti Classico DOCG

Bold dark cherries on the nose backed by floral notes and minerality. On the palate rich red cherries with good complexity and silky texture.

SRP: $28

2016 Felsina Berardegna Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Finessed and complex nose of purple flowers, red berries and minerality. On the palate flavors of red cherry, tobacco and truffle are backed by good acidity and silky tannins.

SRP:  $32

2016 Felsina Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Lively and serious this wine. While young, it is shaping up to be a classic wine from an outstanding vintage which will age for decades. Classic flavors of cherry and tobacco are balanced out by fantastic structure and tension.

SRP:  $50

2016 Felsina Fontalloro IGT

Demure, elegant nose of delicate dark fruit, cocoa, and violet. On the palate this full bodied wine shows delicious earthy notes followed by darker fruits, plum, currant and black cherry with hints of dried flowers. Amazing long complexity and great structure. Ages for five to twenty years or more.

SRP:  $58

2011 Felsina Colonia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Dark berry aroma is balance by classic Felsina notes of tobacco and earth. On the palate dark lush fruit, plum, berries mingle with dried herbs and spicy notes all supporting an intriguing body. Worth the effort to find.

SRP: $120