Fattoria Rodano

Chianti Classico 2019

91

The 2019 Chianti Classico is a powerhouse. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice, scorched earth, mocha and dried leaves abound in this strapping Chianti Classico. This needs time to come together following its bottling a few months prior. This is an especially strapping Chianti Classico, but it is full of character. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral and earthy undertones that add nuance.

Fattoria Rodano

Chianti Classico 2018

92

This wine hits a sweet spot for me between a relatively traditional style (meaning, low oak, nice high acidity, and just a hint of earthy rusticity) and a moderately modern one (as in, ripe fruit with a touch of sweet juiciness). This combination can make for a very versatile wine, but only if all the elements work well together thanks to being proportioned properly, and this wine hits that mark. Delicious on its own (hardly a “given” for Chianti), but also sized to work with everything from a roast chicken to a moderately robust beef dish, this is a terrific wine to have around the house for opening on a moment’s notice — as it will work for almost any moment or purpose.

Fattoria Rodano

Chianti Classico 2017

90

As with his Riserva, Enrico Pozzesi sticks to tradition for this Chianti Classico annata, a blend of sangiovese with ten percent of canaiolo and colorino. He ages the wine for 15 months in large Slavonian oak casks, giving a powerful wine with grippy, ferrous tannins and dark fruit flavors layered with notes of graphite and dried cherry. Decant it before serving to give those tannins time to soften. Enotec Imports, Denver, CO