Notes from a Sangiovese blind tasting dinner.

1996 Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Riserva – good colour,
nice warm plumy cherry nose, big flavours and very nice finish. good
one.

2001 Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico – it threw us a bit when
they placed this right after the Riserva. For some reason our minds
weren’t thinking it might be the same house. A much more classic nose
with less cherry but a bit more anise and leather was interesting.
Lighter body, well balanced and with good concentration. Better
vintage, but I still had a preference for the 96.

2000 Le Pupile Poggio Valente – a single vineyard Morellino, this wine
had an almost Rhone nose and the funkiness stayed with it. Good
colour, tons of acidity and also a fair bit of tannin, I think this
needs time but wonder where it may go.

2000 La Torre Brunello – medium colour, closed slightly sweet nose,
but pretty good stuff in the mouth and fair length.

2001 Fanti Brunello – what first struck us in this dark wine was the
oak, and a hint of nutmeg in the nose. A little warm and a smooth feel
in the mouth with decent length.

2000 La Poderina Brunello – dark wine with a cherry, cocoa and tar
nose. Smooth with only medium acidity and soft tannin, this wine was
my favourite so far. I was pleased to find that I have some in my
cellar.

1998 Le Macchiole – I had a lot of choices in my cellar, but picked
this one as I’d tried it some months ago and found it to be at a
really nice stage. Dark, with a toasty sweet nose with red fruit and
anise, tannins resolved, good length, low acidity. Sangio with 5%
cab, made near Bolgheri.

1997 Tignanello – I picked this right away as a possible/probable Tig,
and asked the first question, which kind of cut off discussion on it,
and Jenise nailed the vintage. Dark, nice nose with some cocoa,
nicely melded fruit flavours, not too much tannin, finishing fairly
softly and with good length.