1997 Monsanto “Chianti Classico Riserva”

Not the Il Poggio and half the price. Plenty of ripe cherry fruit on the nose surrounded by leather, tar and roses. Really nice fruit and spice flavors in the mouth in a medium body style. The acid and tannin levels suggest that a couple of years of age will yield happy results but it’s plenty nice with dinner right now. At < $20, it's definitely worth buying a few bottles for the cellar. JD (6/01)