The Castello di Albola Estate is situated in Radda at the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG appellation, where the legacy of grape cultivation dates back to the time of the Etruscans. The Acciaiuoli family commissioned the estate to plant its lofty vineyard in Chianti Classico in the 15th century as a symbol of their high status. Over the centuries, many noble Tuscan families have owned the property, and the estate has earned various accolades for its wines. In 1979, the Zonin family acquired Castello di Albola promising to uphold the estate’s excellence for future generations. The wines produced in Castello di Albola have earned the iconic “Gallo Nero” symbol from the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, which guarantees the highest standards in winemaking.
The 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. The grapes are hand harvested, and the must is placed in horizontal vinification tanks for three weeks until malolactic fermentation is complete. It spends 15 months in oak. 10% is aged in Allier oak barriques, and 90% is aged in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. Then it spends another year in stainless steel tanks before seeing three months of bottle aging. It has a 13.5% ABV.
The color of the wine is garnet with a little bit of brick going on there. On the nose there's a cloud of dusty minerality over aromas of cherries, strawberry jelly, violets, caramel, and mojito mint. What a spectacular nose! It's got a medium body with a dusty mouthfeel from the tannins that carry across from midpalate to finish. The acidity is vibrant but not so overpowering that a food pairing is necessary (that's how I feel about most Chiantis. Ya gotta have food with them, but this one stands on its own). There's flavors of black cherries, stewed plums, black licorice, leather, and tea. It finishes with a hot booziness as the darker fruits from the midpalate turn into red with tart cherries and strawberries.
The 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo. The grapes are hand harvested, and the must is placed in horizontal vinification tanks for three weeks until malolactic fermentation is complete. It spends 15 months in oak. 10% is aged in Allier oak barriques, and 90% is aged in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. Then it spends another year in stainless steel tanks before seeing three months of bottle aging. It has a 13.5% ABV.
The color of the wine is garnet with a little bit of brick going on there. On the nose there's a cloud of dusty minerality over aromas of cherries, strawberry jelly, violets, caramel, and mojito mint. What a spectacular nose! It's got a medium body with a dusty mouthfeel from the tannins that carry across from midpalate to finish. The acidity is vibrant but not so overpowering that a food pairing is necessary (that's how I feel about most Chiantis. Ya gotta have food with them, but this one stands on its own). There's flavors of black cherries, stewed plums, black licorice, leather, and tea. It finishes with a hot booziness as the darker fruits from the midpalate turn into red with tart cherries and strawberries.
Awesome. Well balanced, good fruit, good structure, and just good all around! I gotta give it a recommendation!
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $28
Rating: 4/5 = Recommended (what does that mean?)
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
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