Couple of nice 1998 chianti classico reserva

[episyd]

Having a bit of an italian meal so:

2002 Antinori Campogrande, Orvieto Classico. From Umbria made principally from trebbiano plus other native varieties. Waxy, lemony nose and a midweight palate of honey, lavender and slight maderisation. Not bad but would have been better last year.

Had it with the asparagus/scallop risotto recipe from last weeks SMH Good Living. Excellent .

1998 Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Riserva Now this was a beautiful classic tuscan sangiovese. A single vineyard red by one of Tuscany's best makers. Rich dark red. Lovely liqueur cherry nose and herby, spicy oak touches. Rich, sexy palate of dark cherries , some earth and a long finish. Beautiful balance between fruit and tannins - not quite at its peak , maybe in another couple of years. Outstanding.

1998 Fattoria di Petroio Lenzi Chianti Classico Riserva

Mid to intense blood red. Earthy slightly bretty nose, with some red cherry notes and vanillan oak. Not as big as the fontodi, more rustic and acidic, and the tannins are more resolved. Some savoury, briar, raspberry and smokey flavours. Very nice and honest a slight short finish just robs it of being an excellent chianti.

Both went very well with an AC Butchery rolled and boned shoulder of veal stuffed with dried tomatoes and pinenuts with a broadbean, pecorino, rocket and mint salad.

Scanavino? Moscato D'Asti Was in a rush to pick up one of these for desert and the only one available at the local bottle shop was this non-vintage example on special for Aus$10.99 Only 4.5% alcohol , made I think of the frontignac grape. lovely fresh grapey nose, fresh fruity light weight palate but with quite a strong hard phenolic finish. Also lacked enough acid so that the 2nd and 3rd galss started to pall. I'm sure there are much better wexamples. Average.

Had it with a pancotta, chocolate sauce and strawberries.

As I have often fouind with Italian wines the reds are far superior to the whites - though these 2 whites are from the commercial and lower end of the market unlike the 2 reds.

Am interested in looking around for some well made and interesting italian whites - from fruili, soave etc. Any ideas - remember the selection available down in Oz is pretty limited

Cheers

Paul

Cheers

Paul

[Brad Ballinger]

Scanavino? Moscato D'Asti

Scanavino is actually the "name" of this Moscato d'Asti wine. The producer is Perlino Optima. Italians labels can be confounding in this regard.