2009 Chianti Classico

The 2009 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous, racy wine laced with bright red cherries, flowers and herbs, all of which come together in the refined, medium-bodied style that is the house signature. The 2009 is vibrant, perfumed and impeccable in its overall balance.

The 2009 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous, racy wine laced with bright red cherries, flowers and herbs, all of which come together in the refined, medium-bodied style that is the house signature. The 2009 is vibrant, perfumed and impeccable in its overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. Paolo De Marchi does so many things well. His Sangiovese based wines are terrific. But it doesn’t stop there. The wines made from international varieties are equally compelling. As if that weren’t enough, the flagship Cepparello is one of the wines of the 2009 vintage. Add to that De Marchi’s intense passion for his hillside vineyards, and you have one of the most intriguing personalities in Italian wine. I can’t say enough good things about these new releases. Isole e Olena fans will also want to check out my Cepparello vertical that appears in this issue. Importers: Petit Pois, Merion, PA; tel. (856) 608-9644; Carolina Wine Company, Norwood, MA; tel. (781) 278-2000; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; The Country Vintner, Louisa, VA; tel. (804) 784-2886; Grape Expectation Inc., Richmond, CA; tel. (510) 412-5969; Bommarito Wines, Saint Louis, MO; tel. (314) 961-8996; Connoisseur Wines, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 561-8705

Barberino Val d’Elsa. 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 5% Syrah. Mid ruby still youthful. Ever so slightly reductive and with lifted cherry fruit. Vibrant, compact and elegant with marzipan-like tannin. Fragrant and very young. But I always wonder why the 5% of Syrah cannot be omitted. (WS)