The 1996 Chianti Classico is a beautiful wine from an irregular Tuscan vintage. The color is an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple. The wine offers up copious amounts of blackberry and cherry fruit intermixed with scents of lead pencil, new saddle leather, and licorice. In the mouth, it is deep and medium-bodied, with an excellent texture, and fine length. Although this wine has some light tannin to resolve, it is accessible. It should drink well for 8-10 years.
Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900