Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of ripe cherry and cranberry fruit. In the mouth, juicy cherry and cranberry flavors have a nice zing to them thanks to excellent acidity. Powdery tannins creep around the edges of the mouth and a note of black tea and cedar lingers in the finish. 14.2% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9.

Medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of struck match and raspberry fruit. In the mouth, raspberry and cherry flavors are bright and dusted with powdery tannins. Good acidity brings a citrus peel quality to the sour cherry in the finish. Decent acidity. The tannins grow in strength as the wine lingers with hints of cedar. 14.2% alcohol. Score: around 8.5.

2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is an expressive and elegant vintage 2016 was an expressive and elegant vintage. There was ample summer sunshine and just enough rain in early September to hold off harvest, giving the fruit more precious time on the vine. Warm days and cool nights produced wines with ripe fruit avors, deep color, vibrant acidity and very precise aromatics. Floral tones of violets and lavender dominate the aromas. Other aromas include blueberries on the vine, vanilla bean and honey. The palate is framed by bright acids with a dense layered center. Flavors of tart cherries give way to a lasting cedar and orange peel finish. This vintage will be remembered well, and has the structure and acids to age beautifully.

Ushering out the Decade with Stellar Holiday Samples I tasted notes of stone fruit, citrus, tropical fruits, apple and a bit of oak.

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