2004 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico San Marcellino (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico)

Killer bottle of wine. Popped and poured to be consumed with some of my homemade Pizza. Stunning nose. Dark red color and a soaring nose of dark plum, cherry, earth, mediterranean brush, dried herbs and violets. Just as stunning on the palate as on the nose. Cherry, chocolate, earth, leather. Finish is sensational. A total home run Chianti Classico.

2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico)

A reliable bottle of wine. Dark garnet red color. Seems tight on night 1. More generous with some air. Dark chocolate, cherry, earth, and dried herbs. Solid finish. Just about a perfect "pizza wine" at the $18 I paid for it.

2004 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico)

Completely different wine from the one I had nearly six months ago. Nose shows blackberry and plum along with some leather, earth and tobacco. Surprisingly funky. High acidity and silky texture that shows nice fruit in the red spectrum. Long finish and some pretty good structure. Very much in balance, but the acid is the most obvious component right this moment. I like this a lot, and it's a great food wine. When I first opened, it was darker, less penetrable, and heavier. With 4 hours of air, this has turned silkier and more finesse driven. An absolute buy in my book.

2004 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico San Marcellino (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico)

Excellent bottle. When I first popped and poured, it was a tad disjointed, but with about 30-60 minutes, it began to sing. Laser focused cherry fruit and scorched earth, dried herbs, and sun dried fruit. Weighty fruit with ample acidity and tannins for a Sangiovese. This is built for aging, just like its sister cuvee, the Geremia IGT. Finishes extra long and it's definitely a food wine. Was a great match for a slow roasted frenched pork loin tonight. Something about slow roasted pork and the texture of Tuscan wine that makes the combo irresistible. Lovely wine.