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“This is the best-value Chianti Classico Riserva I’ve tried, It’s a wine that truly sings”
Matt Deller, FWDC Wine Programme Director

“…a fleshy, radiant wine graced with expressive dark red fruit…baby Tignanello”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Hi From Matt

It’s with great pleasure that I am able to offer you one of the few six-packs allocated to New Zealand of Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2007.

At our recent Antinori Dinner at Toto Restaurant, this wine was the highlight for me.  As a huge fan of really good Chianti, this is the best value example I’ve tried and I’ve personally cornered a six-pack for home which I look forward to enjoying over winter.  What I love about top Chianti Classico Riserva is that it delivers wonderful deep cherry aromas, scintillating fragrance with a plush, deeply flavoured palate.  One of the most satisfying styles in the world of wine, it delivers similar pleasure to the best Pinot Noirs of Martinborough, Central Otago and north Canterbury. 

As Jancis Robinson MW says, “The most interesting development this century has been the re-evaluation of Chianti Classico Riserva. While imported French grape varieties were a novelty, producers tended to view their Supertuscan blends as their top bottlings. Today, however, most have come to realize that what best expresses the particular character of Chianti is a really serious Sangiovese, made from some of the best quality plants of course. It is basically designed to be the finest expression of Sangiovese grown on that particular estate.”

Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva has been dubbed “baby Tignanello” by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.  It is an apt comparison, being a slightly more fruit-forward, perfumed version of its legendary Antinori stable-mate; Tignanello, the world’s first Supertuscan.  Like Tignanello, ‘Marchesi’ is an outstanding expression of Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon made only in the finest years.  It is made exclusively from tree of the most famous vineyards in Chianti, ‘Tignanello’, ‘Peppoli’ and ‘Badia a Passignano’.

It is unsurprising that the best value Chianti Classico Riserva comes from the impressive Antinori family.  They have been the most important winemakers in Tuscany for 26 generations, over six hundred years.  As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate says of the 2007’s; “Antinori seems to do everything well these days. This is another impressive set of new releases with a number of highlights. Over the years oenologist Renzo Cotarella has moved away from the super-late harvests of the late 1990s/early 2000s in favor of picking slightly earlier, a decision that has paid off handsomely, especially over the last few years.”

Tasting this wine at Toto with chef-owner Sergio Maglione and sommelier Roy Assadi, they were so impressed that they offered to allow anyone who purchases it from The Fine Wine Delivery Company to BYO.   Simply mention that you purchased it from here when you book for any night other than Friday or Saturday and they will happily allow you to bring a bottle of “baby Tignanello”.

After tasting the wine at Toto’s I snapped up the last 29 x six-packs of “baby Tignanello” in NZ at a very special price.  I know all you Chianti lovers out there will quickly run us out of stock, please complete the order form below and reply to wine@finewinedelivery.co.nz .

Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
FWDC Special Price $39.99 per bottle

“At our recent Antinori dinner at Toto, Marchesi Antinori Riserva 2007 was the wine of the night for me, delivering incredible pleasure for its surprisingly modest price.  It is produced exclusively in better vintages from three of the finest and most famous vineyards in Chianti, Tignanello, Peppoli and Badia a Passignano.  Matured for fourteen months in large French oak barrels with further maturation in bottle before release, it has a scintillating nose of blackberries, cherries, cherry liqueur, layered with spice, dried herbs, and subtle walnut and vanilla aromas.  The palate is plush, balanced with a fresh acid thread and fine, velvety tannins through to the long spicy finish.” Matt Deller, FWDC Wine Programme Director

91/100 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is a fleshy, radiant wine graced with expressive dark red fruit. This is a fairly plush style for this bottling, no doubt owing to the personality of the vintage.. Tobacco, sweet herbs, licorice and dark red cherries leave a very positive, lasting impression. The Marchese Antinori is predominantly Sangiovese, with a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s vineyards in Peppoli, Badia a Passignano and Tignanello. The darker color and flavor profile and presence of Cabernet relative to the 100% Sangiovese Badia a Passignano Riserva makes the Marchese a baby Tignanello of sorts. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.” Antonio Gallioni, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Drink: 2012-2020

Best Regards
Matt Deller