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Chianti Classico 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
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“Classic cherry and leather here with good acidity that makes this the perfect wine with red-sauced pastas, grilled meats and roasts.”
"Using predominantly Sangiovese grapes in this wine gave it a full-bodied texture with flavors of plums, black cherries, mocha and hints of leather and earth. "
An international style emphasizing smoothness and quality over local character, this is warm with dark chocolate flavors, ready to enjoy with roast beef. 88
"Layers of oak and cocoa notes on the nose precede a wave of tobacco-cherry flavors on the palate. A dark cherry note is accented by a touch of white pepper on the finish. Pair with food from the region; try cannelloni stuffed with chicken." 89
"Softly textured and ripely flavored, this is a moderately rich Chianti, with red currant, plum, pepper, and oak aromas/flavors. Long finish. Excellent value." * * * *
"Very clean, plenty of summer pudding fruit. Lovely, juicy, perhaps lacking some ingredients for extended ageing but lovely now. Up to 3 years." * * * Recommended
"Reasonably priced Chianti with jammy cherry flavors and a touch of coffee."
Chianti Classico 2003 - Medium ruby color, a bouquet reminiscent of cherries and violets. Combined flavors of plums and cured leather, tannins that are well balanced and have a typical acidity with a long finish.
“Chianti has long been regarded by many as the "most Italian of wines" not only because it is the most widely produced classified wine, but also because it possesses a unique personality. Young, mauve-red colour, complex Sangiovese notes of plum, blackberry and hints of licorice, vanilla and light leather. Supple tannins and good acidity for dinning fruit forward on the palate with black fruit notes. Good structure, well balanced with a lingering finish. Serve at 17°C with red-sauced pastas, pizza and grilled meats and roast.” Wine of the Week
“. . .a well-balanced, satisfyingly rich red with a ripe strawberry flavour and hint of toasted nuts. Match with roast spring lamb or your finest cheeses.” Wine of the Month
“Medium bodied with nice complexity and aromas and flavors of cherry, leather, and smoke; solid finish. Pasta with meat sauces.”
“. . .Wine of the Year. We looked for value and affordability in the wines we tasted during 2005, and the Banfi delivered quality, whether paired with food or drunk by itself. The Banfi had an elegant aroma, with scents of dusty red cherries, smoky ham and sandalwood. On the palate, it had a great mouth feel, with silky tannins. It was well balanced, with a nice finish. This wine was affordable, a good value, versatile and easy drinking.”
“Medium weight, nicely balanced.”
"Elegant, with dusty red cherries, smoky ham, and sandalwood... Great mouth feel, with silky tannins. . . Well balanced with an easy finish. Great on its own, doesn't require food. Won first in our tasting." Wine of the Week
“Medium bodied with nice complexity and aromas and flavors of cherry, leather, and smoke; solid finish. Pasta with meat sauces.” Can serve now, but will hold for some time.
“Floral aromas of plum, oak and a smoke note. Soft, dried cherry flavors. Tart finish.” 86
“Fruity berry and plum aromas with light oak accents open to firm berry flavors with oak highlights, moderate but elegant tannins and fine balance through a warm, classy finish.” Recommended.
“A beautiful Chianti with a bouquet of rich red fruit and florals. On the palate it displays a big cherry taste with supple touches of spice and leather finishing with well balanced tannins and an even acidity. Serve this with just about any pasta.” 86
“This ‘young and raw,’ radiant ruby teaser exuded new leather, cherry and violet scents, followed by lively but dark forward fruit and tannins. Tasters noted that, although it was big for a Chianti, it seemed ‘comfortable and confident’ in its own skin. It served up heat, chocolate and warm, red fruit on the lengthy, softly biting finish. Food Friendliness: This temptress can certainly stand alone, but it’d be thrilled to take on the brawniness of rare beef or flirt with Florentine fare.” Good Value
“. . .classic aromas of violets and presents flavors of sour cherries and raspberries. If you like wines with low acidity, you probably won’t go for Chianti. Like most good Chiantis, this is medium-bodied, ripe and rich, but firmly and pleasantly acidic. Give it a little breathing time before drinking it, and have it with grilled meats this summer. It’s really nice.”
“This wine has a bouquet of black fruit and rich flavors of cherry. Enjoy with red sauced pasta dishes, gilled meats and roasts.”
“. . .reminiscent of the stylish Brunello ($75) produced by Castello Banfi in nearby Montalcino. This harmonious Chianti offers a splendid nose of black raspberries intermingled with oak, earth and cassis, with excellent weight and supple layers of fruit.”
“Ripe black cherry, red plum, pomegranate, prune and smoke nose; concentrated blackberry and black cherry flavors; fat and rich with lovely fruit, but simple.”
“The searing heat during the 2003 vintage had a net positive effect on the normal wines (meaning not Riserva) of the Chianti Classico region. Wines that are typically thinner and high in acidity achieved more ripeness, flesh and body than at any time in the recent past and produced exceptionally pleasant wines in the lower price ranges. This wine is delicious no matter the price...." 85
“The bouquet offers bacon, menthol and rubber along with nuances of espresso and modest complexity. Boysenberry and blackberry flavors carry notes of cinnamon and vanilla, while the feel is soft yet substantive. Very drinkable.” Best Buy 87
“Reminiscent of the stylish Brunello produced by Castello Banfi in nearby Montalcino, this harmonious Chianti offers a splendid nose of black raspberries intermingled with oak, earth and cassis, with excellent weight and supple layers of fruit on the palate.”
“A fine Chianti from a top producer, this is rich, deep, and satisfying, with Sangiovese's trademark edge of bitter cherry fruit.”
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