Chianti Classico 2008 and Riserva 2007

See below for 117 tasting notes, many of them enthusiastic, on these first showings of these two superior vintages.

The Consorzio of Chianti Classico showed mild optimism during last month's en primeur presentation of 2008 Chianti Classico and the 2007 Riserva wines in Florence. At the same time last year the Consorzio spoke of Chianti Classico as a 'fortress' that would well withstand the stormy economic weather, while this year Marco Pallanti, proprietor of Castello di Ama and current president of the Consorzio, spoke of a positive trend reversal in sales. (For more detail, see Chianti Classico cuts back.)...