Aging Chianti?

originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
Now hold on a minute. I thought Montevertine had a fall off in quality after the 1996 vintage (a great one there, I reckon.) I did hear rumors of more recent return to form. SE Michigan had to close out various 1997s+; from release onward they seemed limp and didn't maintain freshness up to the standard I expect for this producer.

Signed,

Confused.
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Based on recent Pian del Ciampolo releases, I'd suggest any rumors of a demise were greatly exaggerated.
 
Haven't had the '95 Rancia yet, but we did drink our other bottle of the '95 Le Boncie, and it was better than the first one: intensity slightly more faded but without the acid sticking out and with some delightful complexity from interesting dark fruits. I still think it probably would have been better 10 years ago, but it was a charming and elegant bottle.
 
originally posted by Bwood:


I also had good luck with some Castellare's I Sodi Di San Niccolo years ago, although I have no idea if that was an odd outlier of an experience, or, if it was representative, if things have changed there since. I never see those wines anymore. And that wine is, I guess, an IGT anyway and not inexpensive.
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I had the 1997 and 1999 of this last week courtesy of Mr. dal Piaz and they were both quite wonderful. While, as expected, the 1999 was the better of the two the 1997 was a very pleasant surprise from that maligned/overpraised vintage. Very floral wines with a silken texture.
 
My favourite Chianti estates are Fontodi and Fèlsina where, IMO, even the basic Chianti Classico repays medium term ageing; the 2001s are drinking beautifully right now. A couple of years ago, I had a Rancia 1990 and a Fontalloro 95 (a Chianti in all but name) at the same meal; I thought that the Rancia was beginning to tire but the Fontalloro was in its prime.

About 5 years ago Flaccianello 1990 (another Chianti in all but name) was truly wonderful.

The renaissance of Tuscan quality wine is still quite recent so it may be difficult to procure many older bottles which give an idea of the longer term ageing potential of present day Chianti.

The reputation of some older Brunello from Biondi-Santi suggests that there is nothing inherent in the Sangiovese grape inhibiting graceful old age.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
More and more sangiovese, Jay?
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He did an interesting series of 1997/1999 pairings. I wasn't that fond of the Prunaios or Gaglioles but the 1999 Fontalloro was excellent and both Castellares were beautiful. Maybe I'll even take the time to type up my notes though I wouldn't hold your breath waiting.

It's all your fault really. Or Bob Ross'. Or Zul's.
 
There is plenty of older Castell'in Villa that argues quite persuasively for the ageability of Sangiovese in the Chianti Classico zone. '75 and '77 would come right to mind.

Volpaia Coltassala 1981 has also been drinking well lately.

Plenty of older Brunello testify to the ageability of Sangiovese, as do wines from Lungarotti in Umbria.

I don't really see it as an open question.
 
I would agree that the better Chianti improve with about 10 years of aging. A 1998 Flaccianello a couple of years ago in Florence was drinking beautifully. More recently, I would say that a 2001 Flaccianello was at or close to peak, showing a different character than the even slightly older Brunello along side, which while more concentrated and deeper and more backward, were not necessarily better.
 
A '77 Pergole Torte I had a year or two ago was absolutely beautiful. I remember mentioning it to Martino Manetti at a tasting, and he immediately jerked his head around and asked me where I got it. After I told him I drank it from a bottle provided by Cristi and had no idea where he got it, he told me he only has 6 bottles of it left and wanted to get more. He was also happy to hear that I liked it so much.

A 1990 Carpazo BdM was gorgeous this past weekend. It blew away most of the wines at the table...it was just so drinkable.

I have a '75 Lungarotti Torgiano Rubesco Riserva on deck and I am quite looking forward to it.

As you can tell, I am a sangiovese convert. I now believe. (I just wish it was a little less pricey...I already have too many wines I am trying to follow as is).
 
originally posted by Yule Kim:
A '77 Pergole Torte I had a year or two ago was absolutely beautiful. I remember mentioning it to Martino Manetti at a tasting, and he immediately jerked his head around and asked me where I got it. After I told him I drank it from a bottle provided by Cristi and had no idea where he got it, he told me he only has 6 bottles of it left and wanted to get more. He was also happy to hear that I liked it so much.
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Wait, what? You attended a dinner with Manetti? And you did not tell me? Wait. I am trying to process... OK, now think of all the bad things I have to say.
 
originally posted by Cristian Dezso:
originally posted by Yule Kim:
A '77 Pergole Torte I had a year or two ago was absolutely beautiful. I remember mentioning it to Martino Manetti at a tasting, and he immediately jerked his head around and asked me where I got it. After I told him I drank it from a bottle provided by Cristi and had no idea where he got it, he told me he only has 6 bottles of it left and wanted to get more. He was also happy to hear that I liked it so much.
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Wait, what? You attended a dinner with Manetti? And you did not tell me? Wait. I am trying to process... OK, now think of all the bad things I have to say.
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It was a tasting (no dinner) at Cork Marketplace about two years ago, I think? Yes, I should have forwarded the email to you. I deserve censure and a stint at re-education.

I remember them opening two Montevertines and two Pergole Tortes. One of them was an '03, and unimpressive, but the rest were great, if way too young.

Unfortunately, I was only able to corner Manetti for about 5 minutes, but he was a really nice guy.

Cork used to have some great tastings, but I haven't gotten an email from them in a while. They seem to be pretty cozy with the Potomac rep, which I think brings in the Rosenthal wines (and Lopez de Heredia as well) for the DC market. Haven't heard much from them lately though.
 
originally posted by Cory Cartwright:
I've had aged Pergole Torte 3 times and each time it's been corked.
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That's really unfortunate. And to have that happen to you thrice merits a sad emoticon, notwithstanding the FAQ.

:(

But, on a more serious note, it has gotten me to think I should buy more Montevertine. Pergole Torte is a little dear for my budget, but I think I should try to squeeze in the regular cuvee into my budget. I really love these wines.
 
I support the Castellari recommendation - a few from the early aughts recently were still very much alive and kicking, definitely with more than a few years ahead of them.
 
Are there any Chianti wines with the classic Sangiovese-driven character that do well for longer aging? Or should I just enjoy the ones I like young and age Brunello instead?
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Monsanto and Nipozzano 97 Riservas were cruising along nicely last year.
 
Well, I suppose since this thread got resurrected, I can ask what Brunellos (other than Biondi-Santi) do especially well for long-term aging. In general and in the 2004 vintage... I've seen Costanti and Il Poggione come up under this heading a few different places, for example.
 
originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):
Are there any Chianti wines with the classic Sangiovese-driven character that do well for longer aging? Or should I just enjoy the ones I like young and age Brunello instead?
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Monsanto and Nipozzano 97 Riservas were cruising along nicely last year.
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And as long as Tuscany is the subject, I can't help but notice - even here, the home of the underdog, the unknown, and the unfashionable - everyone mentions this or that Brunello or Chianti and nothing about poor old Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

When we were there last summer, I was quite taken with the high average quality of the Rossos and Vino Nobiles we encountered. At a recent tasting in SF, Boscarelli's 08 Nobile Nocio and Il Greppo's 09 Rosso impressed in an old-fashioned style. Poliziano 09 Rosso and 08 Nobile were very good in a plumper, more modern idiom. Valdipiatta and Salchetto's 08 Nobile tread the line between very nicely. Le Bertille's 09 Rosso di Montepulciano (20% Ciliegiolo grape, a new one for me) was a jolly quaff, like the intersection between Chianti and cru Beaujolais.
 
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