Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007

Winery: Banfi
Vintage: 2007
Appellation: Chianti Classico
Winery website
Rating: B+

We've generally stuck to the chocolate/beer/coffee tack lately on Critical Tastings, but today I have some tasting notes on a Chianti I enjoyed recently. The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is made almost exclusively from Sangiovese grapes and is aged for 2 years in oak before bottling. It is a deep reddish purple in color, looking like pomegranate juice crossed with a black plum. The nose detects fruit notes of cherries and blackberries, vanilla/oak and a touch of grass.

The palate detects oak on the tip of the tongue. Fruit notes of Bing cherries and ripe blackberries are notable. Pomegranate is here as the arils are detectable in the acidity and the seeds in the tannins. The juicy fruit softens the oakiness a bit, but not completely. There is a hint of leather here as well. The mouthfeel is slightly tannic with some juiciness. The finish has lingering oak and jammy fruit.

The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is a nice fruity Chianti that I really enjoyed. My only quibble here is the oak seems to be just a bit too much for the amount of fruitiness here. If they rolled back the oak a hair, then this would be perfect. I've always been a fan of Banfi's Chiantis and this is another one that I would happily serve my guests with pasta or even grilled meat.