Friday Sips

Located North of Siena the fine wines of Fattoria di Petroio deliver a lot of bang for the buck and he newly arrived 2011 is no exception. Flaunting sexy fruit and minerality, the generosity of 2011 is formidable in this fine-buy Chianti Classico. Hearty cherry, underbrush and savory spices flow from the glass and follow through to a texture that possesses depth and personality that never give way to being flamboyant or overdone. Plenty of character and spine, this wine is an excellent accompaniment to just about any Italian-inspired meal.

2010 is a completely different wine than the previous 2011 and really shows off the grandness of this exciting vintage. The nose of this wine is all about the wonderful roasted herbs of Tuscany, which are enhanced beautifully by violet, cherry, mint, dusty earth and plum pit. Ripe bing cherry flavors dominate the palate with spice and fine grained tannins adding beautiful structure. This wine is pure, well-detailed and extending beyond what any 14 buck Chianti should offer. Drink with fresh papardelle pasta with braised meats and sautéed beet greens.

One of the things we love most about Petroio's wines is that Riserva actually means something and isn't merely a tag thrown on to the label and done with the minimum requirements. Lots of love and aging goes into this wine, 12 months in 500 liter tonneaux followed by another 24 in large, 2500 liter barrels. The soon to arrive 2010 is a truly fine and elegant bottle of wine that has substantial structure and the finesse and balance to go the distance. Engaging aromas of dark chocolate, tobacco, toffee and leather peek in and mingle gracefully with smoked plum, roasted herbs, violets and licorice. Right now this Chianti presents an ultra-complex array of aromas that are seamlessly echoed in the mouth, which reflect meticulous care in both the vineyard and winery. A delectable choice for a grilled steak now, however this wine does age beautifully as evidenced by the following wine.
PRE-ARRIVAL WINES ARE SLATED TO ARRIVE THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 15

Only 3 of these nicely aged magnums are available and we'll have one open to show why the Riserva from this estate ages so well. Come and get a taste before the bottle runs out!!