Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2005

The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva reveals a profile of red berries, herbs, crushed flowers and spices. The wine possesses an attractive up-front personality and finessed tannins, but it does taper off a bit on the mid-palate. In this rain-plagued vintage Monsanto did not produce its Riserva Il Poggio, and the best fruit from that site was added to this Riserva bottling, which was aged in a variety of used French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2017.