Warming Winter Reds Wine #2 – Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva

90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino from Tuscany, Italy. The wine spends 18 months in French oak barriques.

SRP of $23 and available for as low as $19. Imported by MW Imports USA. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“Fattoria Bianchi produces Monsanto Riserva with Sangiovese 90% Canaiolo 7% Colorino 3% grapes. The Sangiovese grape variety has been grown at Monsanto for over 200 years.

The name and locality of Monsanto dates back to 998 A.D.; a village of Etruscan origin, then called “Scrutania”. Fattoria Monsanto is located halfway between Florence and Siena near the historic medieval town of San Gimignano.

It is recommended to decant Monsanto Riserva to reduce any natural sediment. Decant into a wide mouthed carafe one hour before serving.

14% Alcohol”

We started our new Warming Winter Reds series on Monday with one of my favorite value buys,Spanish Garnacha. Today we have another favorite and a winter staple for all those delicious Italian meals – Chianti. Of course this is not just any Chianti, but a Chianti Classico Riserva from an acclaimed producer, Castello di Monsanto. And thanks to Marketview Liquor, every wine in our series ships for free on orders of 6+ bottles (mix & match)!

The 2011 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva begins with great complexity and a very strong, enticing aroma full of sour cherry, licorice, wintergreen, leather and fragrant floral and herbal notes. I’d give this one some time to decant before drinking as it is still a bit young but of course the flipside of this is that this wine has some definite aging potential. Juicy and balanced, this is a serious Chianti. Tasting reveals similar flavors to the nose with the fruit turning quite tart in that classic Chianti way. Firm tannins lead into the dry finish of this medium-bodied wine which also features some lingering vanilla and tobacco notes. Excellent!

Buy this wine and all the others in our Warming Winter Reds series from our featured sponsor Marketview Liquor and get free shipping on 6+ bottles (mix & match)! Or see a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

Wine in the Warming Winter Reds series sponsored by Marketview Liquor:

• Aletta Garnacha 2012
• Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2011
• Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache 2011
• Adelsheim Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012
• Chateau La Barotte Bordeaux Reserve 2011
• Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
• Michel Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2012
• Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino 2011