What a find.  Last bottle in the place, and with a big screaming rip on it that screams mis-treatment.  Took the chance.  Feeling very vindicated (accentuate all 8 syllables in pronouncing that!).  It strikes me that this is what the Lamole di Lamole is striving for.  On the off chance anyone is reading this, be warned I groove on the dryness that Italian wines achieve.  I’ve never found a wine like this here in CA.  It occurs to me that I probably couldn’t tell this wine from a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.  There is only one remedy… but I need some like-minded friends so I can afford it (it being 3-4 bottles of quality Tuscan juice).

paid: $17

scored: 90

Very floral and pungent nose on this Chianti.  Let me emphasize that… floral.  FLORAL!  That said, its not a bad wine.  But not quite my style.  After about 20 minutes tha aroma calmed down and the experience was more what I would expect from a Classico.  A better choice would be the Lamole di Lamole.

paid: $9

scored: 84

The Lamole di Lamole has beautiful balance: just the right shot of tannin, great fruit and a smooth, dry finish.  Its good with food, and good without.  All this could reasonably be expected of a wine which hails from the inner circle of Chianti (the Classico sub-region).  And the price tag for such a wine, based on my experience in Italy and at home, tends to fall between $18-$25 (or more, for a riserva).  So how to explain this?  I won’t try.  I’ll just say this:  run!  go get some.

paid: $10

scored: 91

I don’t think I’ve ever had a riserva with the black rooster label for $15.  Until now.  Very pleased… clear fruit, a little bit of linger and all wrapped up in that dry, earthy Tuscan signature. un altro bicchieri, per piacere…

paid: $15

scored: 90