91 2004 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 5/3/08 ($25)
Color: Medium deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Dusty sticks and bark combine with spice and dry sherry wood to uplift boysenberry and tart black cherry. Excellent acidity and some tannin supporting. Very complete and very C.C. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent acidity and terroir, VG fruit and just the right amount of cedary oak. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but even better with dusty terroir coated, dried black cherries, also some game and bayleaf. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but some stewed, less focused flavors, present in the bouquet but not in the flavor, return. Still long, tasty and interesting. (3.0)
Overall: This is classic Chianti Classico Riserva. It has excellent dusty teroir, dry tangy cherry fruit and the balance and restraint typical of the wines of the region. My only reservation is that the fruit is not as fresh and clean as in the Rancia, which might make this less ageworthy. So, drink now and in the next 3-5 years. (15.5)
Note: The '04 Felsina wines are exciting, possibly the best I've tasted from Felsina. I'd have to go back to the '99's to get wines that were even comparable from them. Their prices are also significantly cheaper than some of their competitors, such as Fontodi.