Review: Bonacchi 2011 Chianti Classico

The low-down: Tuscany is without a doubt one of the most idyllic places in the world. And the most idyllic pastime to be engaged there is imbibing of the sangiovese grape! Lately we have opened up two Tuscan delights: a 2001 Antinori Brunello di Montalcino, Pian delle Vigne, and a 2006 Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino.

Tonight is a chianti classico from Bonacchi, a Tuscan winemaker with 90 ha under vine across Chianti, Montalcino and Seggiano.

What symbol appears on a Chianti Classico wine? And what is the story behind it? Read to the bottom for the answer.

This was a gift from a very dear, wine-loving friend of ours ... she is also a successful photographer. Check out her work at: http://www.juniperberryphotography.com/.

The take: A middling red, with thin, runny legs. Light edges - surprising for a four year old. On the nose: chalk, tomato, cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and forest floor. A very, very smooth attack. Syrupy blackberry. Nice, good character. Tangy, earthy, wooden texture.

In closing: Nice, woody, blackberry.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

Fact corner:

Country: Italy

Region: Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Producer: Bonacchi

Vintage: 2011

Grape: Sangiovese

Alcohol content: 13.0%

Serving temperature: 18°

Price range: Mid-range

You can tell a chianti classico by its black rooster (gallo nero) seal. Legend has it that in 13th century Florence and Siena decided to settle their endless fights for Chianti via an amusing contest. Namely, that the meeting point of two knights, who had left respectively from Florence and Siena when the rooster sang at dawn, would be the border of their territories. The Florentines kept a black rooster in a box with no food for a few days. On race day when they took the rooster out of the box, he sang much earlier than dawn and the Florentine knight left before the Sienese one - meeting him only 20 km from Siena!

#photo #review #midrange #658outof10 #italy #2011 #red