TN Castello di Fonterutoli 1997

Hello; Cramming for the exam in March and certain that a Sangiovese (well, mostly Sangiovese) will appear in the practical test, so I opened this bottle of Chianti Riserva which has rested in our cellar for c 6 years. Bought in Copenhagen for DKK 225. C Ruby, with very slight brick in the edges. N Starts out cherries, cherry pits, very slight oaky vanilla appears over time, a thin veil of sweet tobacco and violets - is Alicante allowed in CHianti? A slight mintiness. P Very firm tannic structure, built to last, acidity fresh and perky. All the fruit and flavor of the nose (sorry about that) is on the palate, very good length.

Overall impression: Quite reminiscent of a Brunello di Montalcino (Castello di Bosco?) we had ten days ago, same vintage, but the BdM darker, heavier, more forceful,a s would be expected. This one obviously could have been saved for a long time, no doubt 15 years. MAkes me wonder why we don´t have any more of these in the cellar? Why all the intermediate Bourgs, entry level Bordeaux, and Languedoc at 7EU50 bought at the hypermarket? Answer is of course that they tasted all right when we bought them. I don´t remember how this tasted in the shop, was it a tannic monster? Don´t think so. Oh well. This was one of a kind and now it´s gone.

Sigh.

Cheers

Nils Gustaf

-- Respond to nils dot lindgren at drchips dot se