DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Poggio Borgoni
Chianti Classico 2011 Curva del Vescovo
$29

This wine is made from a blend of Sangiovese (85%) and Merlot (15%) grapes grown in a vineyard that is over 1000 feet above sea level. Following fermentation in concrete tanks the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak before bottling.

Aroma: Black cherries, deep cherry, bright cherry, blueberry, black fruit, plum, violet, mushrooms, thyme, peppery, tobacco, dusty earth, complex, slightly smoky, alluring.

Palate: Ripe black cherries, sour cherry, ripe plum, black fruit, raspberry, ripe berries, juicy, dried fruit, hint of cinnamon, clove, wood, voluptuous mouthfeel, smooth, high acid.

Finish: Dark cherry, berries, chocolately, vanilla, ripe, smooth, complex, structured, elegant.

Double Gold Medal
   

Castello di Cacchiano
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2009 "Millennio"
$40

Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, this wine undergoes slow temperature-controlled fermentation and aging for 3-4 years in a combination of small French oak casks, barriques and tonneaux before bottling.

Aroma: Cherry compote, ripe berries, black briar fruit character, ripe plum, peaches, garden-like, touch of fennel, peppery, spice, earthy, wood, oak.

Palate: Dark cherry compote, sour cherry, black cherry, raspberry, pretty dark berry character, currants, dark plum, melon, herbs, nutmeg, peppery notes, earthy, wood, oak, light smoke, structured tannins, good acidity.

Finish: Strawberry, wood, smoky, clean, smooth, well balanced, complex, concentrated, powerful, lovely.

Double Gold Medal
   

Castello di Radda
Chianti Classico 2011
$23

To make this wine hand-harvested grapes (90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino) from a limestone-soil vineyard over 1000 feet above sea level are fermented in small stainless steel tanks and then aged in barriques and barrels, prior to 6-months of bottle aging before release.

Aroma: Cherry, red cherry, blackberry, red plum, orange peel, tobacco, mineral, earthy, old wood, oak, bright, very integrated, mouthwatering.

Palate: Plums, red fruit, tart cherry, apricot, white flowering pear, melon, citrus, vanilla, light butter, oak notes, good minerality, dry, well balanced.

Finish: Berries, tart, pepper, smoky, high acid, complex, very elegant.

Double Gold Medal
   

Vèscine
Capotondo Chianti Classico 2011
$25

Made from a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo varietals, that following fermentation are aged first in steel tanks for 6 months and then in barrels before bottling.

Aroma: Cherry compote, sour cherry elements, ripe blueberries, strawberry, plum, peaches, sweet spice, cinnamon, alluring chocolate, oak, herbaceous, smoke, attractive.

Palate: Ripe cherry compote, sour cherry, red fruit character, red berries, raspberry, plum, peach, cinnamon, allspice, mineral, smoke, oak, balanced fruit, well integrated, voluptuous mouthfeel, elegant.

Finish: Bright cherry, sour cherry, raspberry, red fruit, ripe vintage, slight chocolate, mineral note, lower acid.

Double Gold Medal
   

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:


Castello di Poppiano
Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Il Cortile 2012
$21

Fashioned from a blend of Sangiovese (80%), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Canaiolo (5%) and Colorino (5%) varietals that underwent fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, this wine was aged in vats and oak casks for 4-6 months prior to bottling.

Aroma: Red cherries, bright cherry, black cherry, ripe blackberries, strawberries, briar fruit, bright fruit, black plum, raisin, tomatoes, slight mineral notes.

Palate: Bright red cherries, strawberry, berries, lean dark fruit, ripe jammy fruit, ripe plum, some raisin, orange peel, nutmeg, clove, tobacco, cigar box, smoky, some wood, toasted oak.

Finish: Soft cherry, briar fruit, blackberry, pepper, dusty tannin, very integrated, pleasant, elegant, good match with mild cheese.

Gold Medal
   

Podere dell’Anselmo
Chianti Montespertoli Riserva "Ingannamatti" DOCG 2008
$14

Made from a blend of Sangiovese (85%) and primarily Cabernet Franc and some Colorino grapes that are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, this wine was aged in a combination of stainless steel and large barrels for 12 months prior to bottling.

Aroma: Dark fruit, sour cherry, red cherries, compote, prominent grape, rose petals, perfumed bouquet of flowers, tobacco, herbs, mineral, very earthy, smoke, oak.

Palate: Dark fruit, black cherry, pomegranate, spice, earth, oak, well integrated flavors, integrated tannin & acidity, nice acidity, velvety mouthfeel, voluptuous.

Finish: Cherry, dark fruit, smooth, very elegant.

Gold Medal
   

Castello di Gabbiano
Chianti Classico 2012
$12

This wine is produced from primarily Sangiovese (90%) and the remainder consisting of other red varietals, with fermentation on the skins in temperature-controlled tanks and aging for 10-12 months in a combination of medium and large-capacity French oak casks.

Aroma: Bright red cherries, black cherry, dark fruit, blackberries, berry fruit character, sweet spice, rose, violets, slight eucalyptus, vegetal, very fresh.

Palate: Fresh red cherries, blackberry, boysenberry, stewed fruit, clove, spicy, oak, dusty, bright acidity, balanced, elegant.

Finish: Toast, soft, nice tannin, refreshing.

Gold Medal
   

Castello Sonnino
Chianti Montespertoli - Riserva 2011
"Castello di Montespertoli"
$20

Produced from a blend consisting of primarily Sangiovese and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from vineyards at almost 1000 feet above sea-level, with soil featuring limestone. Following aging in small barriques (50%) and larger barrels (50%) for 12-14 months, the wine is bottle-aged for at least six months prior to release for sale.

Aroma: Black cherry, dark cherries, black raspberry, blackberry, ripe berries, ripe black plums, dried cranberries, peaches, spice, slight underbrush, earth.

Palate: Tart cherries, sour cherry, black briar fruit, black plum, jammy fruit, nice herbal note, tobacco, wood, strong tannin, high acid, mouthwatering.

Finish: Cherry, sour cherry, black fruit, high acid, smooth.

Gold Medal
   

Il Castelvecchio
Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2011
$12

This wine is made from a blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) grapes, with wood aging for 12 months prior to bottling.

Aroma: Boysenberry, blackberry, mixed berry jam, faint wild berry, some dark cherries, spice, slight licorice, muted.

Palate: Black cherries, deep cherry, briar fruit, ripe red plum, raisins, orange peel, clove, nutmeg, herbs, oregano, earth, dusty tannin, high acid.

Finish: Soft cherry, herbal, pepper, mineral, tobacco, pleasant.

Gold Medal