Showing some mature notes of leather, underbrush, tobacco and tea, this is ready to enjoy. Leans toward the dry tannins on the finish. Drink now. 800 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Chianti Classico Select to Add

This juicy red evokes black cherry, plum, mineral and tar aromas and flavors. Racy in profile and tightly wound, this stretches out on the finish with tobacco and mineral accents. Drink now through 2022. 833 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Chianti Classico Select to Add

The 2008 Chianti Classico Grosso Sanese (Sangiovese) is very impressive for the vintage. Silky tannins frame a core of expressive dark red cherries in this refined, polished Chianti Classico. The 2008 is a bit restrained compared to more typical years. Instead it is the wine's elegance and polish that comes through most. Sweet perfumed notes wrap around the nuanced finish. This is a lovely showing. The Grosso Sanese was aged in French oak barrels, 30% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887

The 2007 Chianti Classico Grosso Sanese is big and brawny in its dark fruit, tobacco, earthiness, tar, leather and licorice, with more overt oakiness than is typically the case. The 2007 shows terrific volume and depth, but like all of the estate's wines it needs to be given some air. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022 This is an uncharacteristically mixed set of wines from Il Palazzino. The 2007 La Casina Girasole and 2007 Chianti Classico Argenina both revealed technical imperfections that precluded their being included in this report. The estate's higher-end wines fared better. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Delivers lots of cedary wood on the nose and palate, with plum and dried cherry. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Needs time to mellow and come together. Best after 2010. 830 cases made, 400 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Chianti Classico Select to Add