Professional Reviews
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James Suckling
94
A fresh and bright red with sliced-orange and black-cherry aromas and flavors. Medium body. Tight and compact. Long and flavorful finish. Will age beautifully. Drink or hold.
(04/2019)
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Wine Spectator
94
This is packed with black currant, black cherry, floral and juniper aromas and flavors. The tannins are assertive, matched to bracing acidity and a touch of heat. A bit boisterous today, but this should settle down nicely over time. Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino. Best from 2022 through 2039. (BS)
(10/2019)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
93
Offering richness, density and a sharply delineated approach, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is an elegant but also classic expression from this storied estate. The best qualities of this vintage come through here with tight and focused fruit flavors and clear perfumes of wild cherry, rose and button mushroom. There is a lingering note of cherry sweetness that serves to glue the wine's other attributes, like its freshness and integrated tannins, together in harmony. Pair it with a veal and mushroom lasagna. (ML)
(09/2019)
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Wine & Spirits
93
The Bianchi family’s Riserva fires on all cylinders in the 2016 vintage, unfolding with black cherry and red currant flavors framed by dusty tannins and laced with notes of thyme and lavender. The flavors are taut and precise, already highly expressive yet with the potential to age gracefully.
(04/2020)
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Vinous
92
The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is a fabulous wine that punches well above its weight. Dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, leather, lavender and tobacco all run through this wonderfully nuanced, vibrant Riserva. Already expressive and open, the 2016 will drink well for another 15+ years. Although not quite the value it was a few years ago, Monsanto's Riserva delivers serious quality for the money. Sweet floral notes extend this finish beautifully in this mid-weight, gracious, yet nicely structured Riserva from Monsanto. (AG)
(08/2019)
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Staff Reviews
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By: Greg St. Clair5/5/2020K&L Staff MemberThe 2016 vintage is a classic, it will go down in history as one of Chianti Classico’s best. The nose of this wine has the signature Monsanto blend of earth, spice and wild cherry fruit that swirl out of the glass. On the palate the wine shows incredible balance, precision but immediately lets you know it is a powerful and structured wine. On your tongue the forest floor flavors leather, porcini and wild brush add to a savory character that is the dominant presence, followed by slowly releasing wild cherry fruit. The finish is long, I mean really long and shows what a great wine this will be.You can drink this wine now, I’d decant 2-3 hours first but Monsanto’s real power rests in its ability to age. This wine will last 20+ years without any problems and at 10 years from the vintage you will be able to get an evolved and mature wine that will lose most of its youthful sassiness. I am putting this into my cellar you should too.
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