CASE PRICE = $33.99 per bottle (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
Notes from the Winemaker:Ruby red appearance with rich, intense tones. Spicy nose with floral notes and hints of wild berry (red and black), accompanied by mineral impressions and light toasted notes. Spice reappears on the palate, which displays firm but supple tannins, and the finale is vigorous and taut. Overall, the wine is compelling for its flavor rich
mid-palate and supporting acidity.
Ratings / Reviews
94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia bursts onto the palate in a big, brooding expression of Sangiovese from Castelnuovo Berardenga. Muscular and dense to the core, the 2007 powers all the way through to the long finish. Hints of smoke, tar, leather and scorched earth emerge over time, but only with great reluctance. In a vintage where so many wines are open, the Rancia comes across as quite stubborn and in need of at least five more years in bottle. That said, it is a standout, not to mention one of the greatest values in fine, age-worthy wine. In a second tasting the 2007 Rancia came across as decidedly more elegant and restrained in style, so it will be interesting to see where this ultimately settles within the context of recent vintages. Today I don’t think the 2007 has the elegance of the 2004 nor the power and ageworthiness of the 2006, but we will see. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027." - Antonio Galloni (Oct 2010)
92 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:"Dark red. Fresh red cherry, bay leaf and underbrush aromas are complemented by a strong mineral nuance. Starts silky, then turns minerally, brisk and firm in the middle, showing a penetrating quality to the red cherry, ripe plum and delicate herbal flavors. Finishes seamless and very long, but I found this to be a somewhat more backward, imploded example of Rancia than usual." - Ian D'Agata (Jul/Aug '10)
91 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:"Racy and rich, with chewy tannins that are polished and attractive. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a clean finish. Offers lots of richness. Drink now. 3,750 cases made." –JS (Sep 30, 2010)
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2006 vintage):"The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is a vibrant, focused wine
that flows with the essence of dark fruit, minerals and flowers. The
wine possesses gorgeous length and proportion, all of which is framed
by powerful yet well-integrated tannins. Simply put, this is a superb
Chianti that also happens to be one of the best relative values in
fine, age worthy wine. The Rancia is made from vines planted on poor
soils at 420 meters above sea level. In 2006, the Rancia spent 16
months in French oak, of which 60% was new. Anticipated maturity:
2012-2026.
If you were to cut proprietor Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s
veins the man would bleed Sangiovese, such is his passion for Tuscany’s
most important native grape. Mazzocolin has a terrific set of new
releases on his hands. The 2006s are glorious and benefit from a warm
growing season that also saw good alternation of day and evening
temperatures before the grapes got a final kick of heat that informs
the wines. In 2007, I have only tasted the Chianti Classico so far, but
if that wine is indicative, Felsina could have another superb vintage
in store for fans of this venerable property. So far 2007 looks to be a
vintage of ripe wines made in a more generous, if early maturing style,
than the firmer 2006s. Not only are Felsina’s wines magnificent, they
also remain exceedingly fairly priced in relative terms. Mazzocolin
deserves much credit and support from readers for his consumer-friendly
approach, especially in these challenging times."
