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2004 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Product Zoom

2004 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva

SKU #1035486

91 points and a Smart Buys designation from the Wine Spectator "Full-throttle, with lots of vanilla and ripe fruit character. Almost cherry liqueur. Full-bodied, round and soft, with lots of flavor. Drink now." (10/07) 90 points Wine Enthusiast: "A generous and modern wine with plush aromas of sweet vanilla, black cherry, ripe blueberry, spice and a healthy wallop of chocolate fudge that proves to be a true crowd pleaser. Beautiful in the glass, with brilliant ruby reflections, the wine is silky-smooth in the mouth with bright berries flavors that ride over a long, soft finish." (11/1/2007)

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Price: $19.99
WS 91 WE 90

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By: Cindy Westby |  K&L Staff Member  |  Review Date: 7/7/2008  | Send Email
With all the fantastic wines at K&L, I can rarely commit to a case of anything. But after tasting the 04 Monsanto Chianti Riserva, I decided to get down on one knee... and take 2 boxes home! Bright and balanced, with savory red fruits, only moderate tannins and an old-world woodsy quality - that to me, is the trademark of traditional Chianti Classico. This wine begs for the simple food I love to prepare, fennel spiced pork chops, roasted chicken, pasta with bacon, chard and parmesan... I suspect even 2 cases won't be enough!

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Sangiovese

- The most widely planted grape in Italy is Sangiovese, a high-acid grape with moderate to high tannins, apparent earthiness and subtle fruit. It is thought to have originated in Tuscany and its name, which translates to "blood of Jove," leads historians to believe it may date all the way back to the Etruscan period, though historical mentions only go as far back as the early 1700s. Though planted all over modern Italy, the most significant wines made from Sangiovese still come from Tuscany: Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese must make up 75% of a blend from the Chianti DOCG t be labeled as such, traditionally allowing for Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia for the remainder, though more recently small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot have been allowed. In Brunello di Montalcino the wine must be made entirely of Sangiovese. Prugnolo is Montepulciano's name for Sangiovese, and it is used there for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. In the DOC of Carmignano Sangiovese can be blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also Super Tuscans, IGT wines that blend Sangiovese with large proportions of Cabernet or Merlot. Elsewhere in Italy it is a workhorse grape, though it does find some success (though not the longevity) in the Montefalco and Torgiano wines of Umbria as well as the foundation of Rosso Piceno and a significant element of Rosso Conero from the Marches. Like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese has struggled to find footing outside of Italy, though in recent years California wineries have been having better fortune with grape plantings in the Sierra Foothills/El Dorado County, as well as Sonoma County and the Central Coast.
Country:

Italy

- Once named Enotria for its abundant vineyards, Italy (thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans) has had an enormous impact on the wine world. From the shores of Italy, the Romans brought grapes and their winemaking techniques to North Africa, Spain and Portugal, Germany, France, the Danube Valley, the Middle East and even England. Modern Italy, which didn't actually exist as a country until the 1870s, once produced mainly simple, everyday wine. It wasn't until the 1970s that Italy began the change toward quality. The 1980s showed incredible efforts and a lot of experimentation. The 1990s marked the real jump in consistent quality, including excellence in many Region that had been indistinct for ages. The entire Italian peninsula is seeing a winemaking revolution and is now one of the most exciting wine Region in the world. For our entire Italian wine selection, click here. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of Italy.
Sub-Region:

Tuscany

Specific Appellation:

Chianti

- Chianti is the most famous wine name in Italy is not the name of a grape but actually a region. Chianti lies in the 35 miles of hills between Florence and Siena, a complex geological region as well as geographically. The extraordinary geography makes grape growing a very challenging feat with multiple exposures and soil types on the same estate. The region comprises 9 different communes not dissimilar to Bordeaux wherein each commune has a particular characteristic that shows in the wine. The wine is made predominantly Sangiovese, the grape must comprise at least 80% of the blend. Chianti Classico is the "classic" region, though many other nearby regions now use the name "Chianti" to make similar wines. The "Gallo Nero" or Black Rooster on many of the Chianti Classico bottles is a private consortium of producers who try and control the direction of production and quality amongst their members.