478. Querciabella, Chianti Classico, 2004

€48.50; ??%

Found this buried amongst the oddly-named wines in the Ghent restaurant t’Buikske Vol, that we went to on our 2^nd night there, on route to deliver Katy to Germany. Not as powerful or complex as the 1990 Gaja, but certainly not 5 times worse! A very good Chianti, which would certainly develop over 3-5 years. Pale-medium ruby, fading to a narrow garnet rim. Intense, developing nose: initially Bolognese, then cinnamon & sweet spice, with light smoky notes. Katy got more fruit than I. Becoming complex. Clear sour cherry flavours, leading the youthful palate, but above all exceptionally silky tannins, that emerge only at the (long) finish (at least 10 seconds). Balanced acidity delivers the ‘sour’ cherry character, alongside subtle sweet spice character. Food friendly. Very nice indeed!