Casalvento, Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, 2009

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Dark fruit and smoke nose, with green tannic quality at the back. Edgy, unbalanced palate, with hot alcohol and green tannins.

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Very bright, very purple. The nose is attractive wiht sweet cinnamon. Medium to full bodied, intense dark fruits – black cherry, brambly, very good, very tasty and drinkable, would work well in restaurants. Smooth tannins, ripe fruit but not fat or concentrated. Long finish, polished, perfect, but not exciting.

Tasting: Chianti Classico Riserva

Pronounced and rich nose with complex aromatic hints derived largely from new oak. There’s a glassful of spice, liquorice and coffee with an order of sawdust on the side. Slightly more beguiling on the palate where the concentration of fruit indicates this may have some development potential but, at the end of the day, it’s the oak that carries the vote.