…the name needs no introduction. It’s right up there with any iconic name you can imagine regardless of the topic. Florentine royalty for generations, the Antinori empire now spans estates in every major winemaking region of Tuscany. From the Santa Cristina estate in the heart of Chianti Classico, Antinori sources three of his most famous red wines: Solaia, Tignanello, and today’s topic, the 2008 Tenute Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva.
I’ve loved this wine in the past and many vintages have been full bodied bruisers that benefit if not require cellar aging to show their best potential. 2008 was a good vintage in Tuscany, and nothing more. The weather wasn’t optimal and many of the 2008’s I’ve had reflect that. This is no exception.
This Chianti Classico Riserva is a brightly colored violet to ruby red. It looks fresh and alive. On the nose, the rather monolithic aromatic profile speaks of crushed red fruits, slight earth and a simple spiciness. On the palate the wine is very expressive of the vintage. Simple red fruits are soft and generous. There’s little tannic backbone to the wine and despite the acids being plentiful and balanced, this isn’t one for the cellar. Complimentary notes of brush and fennel frame the medium bodied (at most) fruit and provide some slight complexity to an otherwise straightforward wine.
There’s nothing intellectual here. I typically expect more from this label. That said, the wine is tasty and pleasant enough. The Tenute Marchese is 90% Sangiovese with an unspecified blend of 10% international varieties woven in. 88 points, about $28.
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| ~ 2008 Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva ~ |
E vero!
John, not having tasted this vintage aside, this is an excellent review of earlier vintages; I do have the 2008 in the cellar and though I wasn't concerned of the time (you've changed that attitude), but I'll have to dig it out and get down to tasting it.
Thanks,
Dennis
I would definitely try it. This was not as big as say – the Piaggia Carmignano or the Mazzei Ser Lapo. It needs no aging IMO. Many of the 2008 Brunello I've tasted have presented themselves the same way. They are good to go right now and almost devoid of any tannin. Floral, aromatic, juicy and fresh, but not built for the long haul.