Toscana

From a blind tasting practice paper I set, this is a pure Cabernet from the Chianti Classico zone. Not sure I’d have placed it …

And this was a classic Riserva, with more marked, fine-quality oak and deeper black cherry. Mid-deep garnet with a hint of rim brick. Dark …

A lovely, and I think classically-styled Chianti Classico. Mid-deep ruby. Clay-earth minerality, cappuccino oak and cedar. Fresh and dried red cherry. Herbal lift. Medium …

A split half-dozen courtesy of Planet of the Grapes, with both the 2011 and 2012 vintages. Planting them side-by-side, both were modern styles of …

[Owner, Giovanni Manetti signature] This Riserva served beside Fontodi’s regular Chianti Classico. This had more density, length and overt oak. Dense, deep ruby with …

An Easter interlude in extensive tastings, and another of Gianpaolo’s wines. Bright black cherry fruit and a savoury mineral overtone. Crisp acidity, but ripe …

This vintage was an exam wine, and rightly so. The wine of the sweet line-up. Stunning complexity, power and density. Fully sweet, but enough …

[CIAO from Gianpaolo Paglia. This will bring you luck for the MW exams! Not likely to be one of the wines, unfortunately.] Nice to …

First wine of Booker 2013, and Anne-Marie, Alex and Flo sat down for an early lunch on Friday. Just into maturity this one, and …

Overall, fairly good but a little disappointing – either faintly corked or overrated. Deep ruby, with a medium garnet rim. Medium+ intensity, slightly grubby …