Tasting Note                         

90            2001 Felsina Rancia CC Riserva                 5/6/06 ($28)

Color: Medium deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Caramel and smooth cigarbox combined with classic stewed cherry fruit. Also a slightly animal terroir with pistachio, very Tuscan. (3.5) Body: High acidity with just enough fruit to meet. Thin in the mouth, could use more concentrated fruit. Still a solid middleweight that is ageworthy. (3.0) Flavor: Smooth stewed cherry and high acidity. A little lean and mean. (2.5) Finish: Some toothcoating tannin in the finish. It is long with complexity, but a little austere with some bitterness. (3.0)
Overall: A little overoaked and a little lean. Needs more fruit and richness. An interesting wine, but I’m concerned that it may not have enough fruit to be harmonious when ready in 2-4 years. The regular riserva is less interesting, but has more fruit and balance to develop properly. Of course, only time will tell. I like this one better right now. There is something a little weedy and unripe about all of the 2001 Felsina CCs (?). (15.0)