Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 1999 Chianti Classico pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with lovely notes of ripe and some dried red fruits: Bing cherry, raspberry, red flowers, Pu-erh tea, porchini, dried green herbs, a whiff of varnish (letting you know it’s Italian), old leather and wood and gravelly, iron rich earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This 27 year old CC is sensational and further proof that Sangiovese rewards the patient. Drink now through 2039. — 18 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is being served colder than I would like and that said, the nose is not all that expressive. There is green apple, stone fruits, Meyer lemon to notes of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, limestone marl, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, light butterscotch, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers.

The palate has a clean, round smooth entry. It is good but it tastes restrained to me. Maybe, the cool temp. Green apple, stone fruits-apricots, yellow peach/nectarine, Meyer lemon to a touch of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, kiwi, green melon, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, more pronounced butterscotch, caramel as it warms up, vanillin, gentle chalky powder, limestone marl, grey volcanic minerals, white spice, herbaceous hues, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers with greens, nice round acidity, the finish is well balanced, round & elegant, a bit viscous and lasts about a minute.

I’ve had a number of producers from CC. I have had multiple vintages of LL’s CC and it simply doesn’t deliver like some of the other producers I’ve had that make white from CC. For me, it’s a nice wine but has often underwhelmed given the terroir.

I have had good vintages of white Bourgogne’s that show this nicely and better.

@EK225 — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, no formal notes. Day 1: a delicious, if not slightly reticent CC that worked quite well with a simple pasta marinara. Day 2: Beguiling. Tart cherries, dusty earth, orange zest, black tea and dried herbs. Could smell it from several feet away. Equally enchanting palate. Stout structure. Long finish with some real energy. A positively gorgeous wine that still has a long life ahead. Bravissimo. — 4 years ago

Ming L

8.9

The nose shows classic BdM aromas of dried cherry, rose petal, steeped black tea, tobacco, and a whisper of balsamic. Yet on the palate its tart acidity overwhelmed, and the nimble structure is more inline with CC than a BdM.

Not bad, but I certainly expected much more.

— 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

No formal notes just impressions this evening . Really elegant and precise , with lovely fine tannins and fresh yet balanced , refined acidity. The fruit here is a little darker than the basic CC , darker cherry , more spice and a little anise hint . Long and detailed on the palate , this is drinking surprisingly well , though will age gracefully over the next 10 years or so . Even though this is refined and elegant there is no lack of body or intensity here . Really lovely this evening . — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Classic CC. Needs a 2 hour decant prior to consumption. Delicious. — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Solid wine! From the storage - This 2018 has a nice medium ruby color, aromas of cherries, orange peel and salinity. Delicious red fruit, warm spices and black tea. — 5 months ago

with Chad

Dave

9.1

This is a great CC. This sangiovese blend has typical sour cherry flavors enhanced by violets, thyme, oregano, leather, and sweet tobacco. Very well balanced with juicy acidity and medium tannins. Great finish. This is a real bargain at $20!
Listening to Burl Ives — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

This is way better than your average Chianti Classico. It turns out I made a mistake selecting this from the cellar, meaning to get the 2020 Chianti Classico standard not this 2019 Baroncole Riserva. Much too early in its drinking window. Notes of cherry and pepper. A very fresh mid weight palate. Sometimes nice to try such an excellent wine so early in its drinking window. Earthy fine powdery tannins. Not your average CC as I said earlier. The next time I have one will be 4 to 5 years away. — 3 years ago

Steve Cunneen

9.2

Delicious. A bit pricey for a regular bottle but a nice step up from the regular CC. — 4 years ago