An invitation from Angela Fronti of Istine winery in Radda in Chianti was a chance to enjoy the wines of this area from some of its greatest producers.
A group of 24 wineries formed this association to promote their common goals to respect the biodiversity, along with the upkeep of the area’s cultural and winemaking traditions, to protect the environmental excellence that prevails.
The President of the Association is Roberto Bianchi of Val delle Conti and the Vice President is Martino Manetti of Montevertine.
In my opinion, associations like this are the way forward for Chianti Classico. the Consorzio of Chianti Classico has over 500 members and to reach a common goal with such numbers is a tall order, so as a similar group in Panzano led by Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi, this new association can share experiences, passion and a vast local knowledge both for the benefit of each other, but more importantly for their area and the wines produced within.
I tasted 31 wines from 11 wineries here are some of my memories:
Val delle Conti Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
Sangiovese 100%
Deep ruby red, blackberry and black cherry. Intense, soft, almost succulent.Undertone of minerality. Persistent.
Points 92 TW
Val delle Conti Extra 14
Sangiovese 100%
From vines averaging 40 years of life. Extra-ordinary’ in its delivery. Super expressive, brooding and muscular, and yet shows finesse and precision. Wow!
Points 94-96 TW
Val delle Conti Chianti Classico 2006
Ruby red with slight amber hue. Cherry, orange peel, coffee. Refined floral notes. Great balance.
Points 93 TW
Terrabianca Campaccio 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese.
Garnet with slightly darker tones. Black fruits. Wisp of liquorice. Comes over little oaky. Savoury. Integrated Soft edges.
Points 90 TW
Terrabianca Croce Riserva 2001
Sangiovese 100%
Black cherries, leather, sweet tobacco and spicy wood notes. A bit angular, not convincing.
Points 89 TW
Podere L’ Aja Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
Sangiovese 100%
Ruby red in colour. Good purity of fruit, soft tannins, expressive. Strong personality.
Points 92 TW
Podere L’ Aja Chianti Classico 2016
Sangiovese 100%
Ruby red in colour. Red fruits with floral aromatics. Ample. Pleasing.
Points 90 TW
This winery (Podere L’ Aja) is new to me, I enjoyed their wines as they bring an unusual dynamic in Radda. They tend to be juicy, well balanced and linear.
Montevertine Pian Del Ciampolo 2016
Sangiovese 90% Canaiolo 5% and Colorino 5%.
Full bodied, great textural richness, (this is the entry wine). Spice, fresh herbs, blue floral notes. Tannins need a couple of years bottle time to loose their forwardness.
Points 93 TW
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte 2016
Distinctly aristocratic from the off, exudes class. Layered. Ample. Incredible intensity. Fresh acidity. Sheer appeal of this wine makes me think of 1990.
Make no mistake, given 10+years this could be the finest vintage since the phenomenal 1990.
Points 98-100 TW
Monteraponi Baron Ugo Riserva 2010
Delicate and yet powerful, still evolving. Complex, savoury, earthy. Showing good clean acidity. Underlined with sharp minerality. Great energy.
Points 95 TW
Istine Chianti Classico 2015
Ruby red in colour. Red cherry fruit preserved in eastern spice, tobacco, sweet balsamic overtones. Linear. Has appeal in spades.
Points 93+ TW
Istine Le Vigne Riserva 2015
This wine is produced from the finest Sangiovese fruit from the three different vineyards under Angela Fronti’s control. Vinified separately.
Intense ruby red in colour. Intense. Layered. Full bodied. Plenty to say. Fresh. All things in the right place. Long finish. Great!
Points 95 TW
Castello di Albola Santa Caterina 2016
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.
I have been waiting for a wine to do justice to the effort and persistence by the Zonin family and Alessandro Gallo: my wait is over!
Intense ruby red. Aromatic delineation. Elegance. Concentrated red fruits of meticulous selection and quality. Persistent. Layered and Intense. In short - off the charts!
Points 96 TW
Volpaia Chianti Classico 2016 Riserva.
Since I tasted this wine in February it has added a little weight. Still delicate and showing finesse, its tannins have softened little giving way to the force of the fresh red fruits.
Points 93 TW
Volpaia Coltassala Riserva 2016
This wine is super expressive, multi layered with many complex nuances. Very few wines are this sophisticated. It processes a clarity and precision that is utterly beguiling.
Red cherry, surrounded by black berry fruit, black tea, cedar, spice. Faint notes of lemon thyme and basil. Fresh acidity cuts a linear expression through to a long finish. Joyful.
Points 96 TW
Volpaia Il Puro 2015
This wine is yet another extraordinary bottling from this estate.
Vines of 60 years service found on the Southern slopes of Volpaia, between Coltassala and Balifico vineyards.
Intense ruby red. Soft tannins incapsulate fresh red sweet fruit. Aromatics of blue flowers prevail. Spice notes of Cocoa. Structured and elegant.
Points 94+ TW
This was a wonderful afternoon tasting, that underlines the great strides this wine denomination has achieved in the past decade or so. TW