MONSANTO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA - 2008

90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino with 14% alcohol. Instead of large Slavonian casks the wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barriques.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red and black fruit, with lots of tobacco, cherries and leather. Plum and spice round out the ends with soft, ripe tannin.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91+PTS
Balance, structure and finesse. This is a great wine that flies under the radar.  Previous vintage made the Wine Spectator Top 100 list, yet the price on this one did not escalate. Retails for around $17 making it a solid buy.