The 2009 and 2010 vintages are two of the greatest ever
Antonio Galloni - vinous.com
Antonio Galloni has just released an article on vinous.com stating that the ‘Two thousand twenty-one is the single greatest young vintage I have ever tasted in Chianti Classico. Period. Full stop. The 2021s are majestic wines endowed with striking aromatics, layered fruit and all the energy that is such a signature of the appellation. Quality is consistently high across the region, while many wines hit breathtaking peaks of excellence.’
I don’t disagree with his assertion at all, 2021 certainly ranks very highly across Tuscany, not just in Chianti. Many of the wines will need 7-10 years to enter their drinking window, so if you don’t possess the requisite patience, or have a gap in the ready drinking stock in your cellar, why not take a look at this selection of impressive 2010s that are already well into their stride. Of the 2010s, Galloni commented as follows when they were first released: ‘The 2009 and 2010 vintages are two of the greatest ever (with caveats) for Chianti Classico and central Tuscany…. In general, the warmer 2009 vintage yielded wines that are more exotic, riper and higher in alcohol, while 2010 yielded wines of greater elegance and balance.’
I tasted most of the following at the point of release and was seriously impressed by the calibre of the vintage. Recent vintages seem to get ever higher scores, or at least so it seems, and best ever claims seem rife. From the handful of 2010s that I have opened in the last year or so, this vintage still impresses, and while all of these are drinking well today, the dates listed show they have time on their side too. This is a great opportunity to access perfectly cellared stock sold to the vendor on release.
Please take a good look as these are all priced at market-beating levels and include some highly sought after examples and well as some very shrewd buys at very affordable levels.
2010 Chianti Classico Riserva, Rancia, Fèlsina Berardenga
SANGIOVESE
4 cases available at £240 per 6 bottle case in bond
95+ points, Antonio Galloni
(100% sangiovese): Bright, fully saturated red. Knockout nose combines raspberry, minerals, sweet spices and violet; the most ethereal nose of any Rancia since the 2006 vintage. Juicy, pure and precise if youthfully tight, offering lovely inner-mouth energy and perfume to the complex flavors of red berries enlivened by orange peel, sweet spices and flowers. Finishes very long and brisk, with juicy acidity that leaves the taste buds vibrating. An absolute beauty, and much less marked by the tobacco, tar and inky notes that have characterized some recent Rancia vintages. For example, even though 2009 and 2010 are both potentially outstanding vintages for Chianti Classico, there is simply no comparison between this wine and the Rancia 2009. Drink: 2018-2040.
2010 Fontalloro, Fèlsina Berardenga
SANGIOVESE
4 cases available at £195 per 6 bottle case in bond
93+ points, Antonio Galloni
Good ruby-red. Plum, spicecake, balsamic herbs, licorice and a loamy nuance on the complex nose. Supple and sweet, with sneaky intensity of flavor; nicely integrated acidity lifts the flinty red berry, tobacco and licorice flavors. Suave and dense, finishing with fine-grained tannins and subtle persistence. As great as Fontalloro is in 2010, I think the Rancia Riserva is the better wine this year. Drink: 2016-2030.
2010 Sammarco, Castello dei Rampolla
CABERNET SAUVIGNON/ MERLOT/ SANGIOVESE
4 cases available at £625 per 6 bottle case in bond
100 points, Antonio Galloni
The 2010 Sammarco tastes like biting into a combination of graphite, crushed rocks, smoke, violets, kirsch, lavender and sweet spices. The flavors are intense and concentrated, yet also incredibly nuanced. Firm tannins give the wine an extra kick of energy on the sculpted finish. I don't expect the 2010 will be ready to drink anytime soon, but it is a real pleasure to revisit today, as it is just as stunning as it has always been. In a word: magnificent! Drink: 2020-2040.
2010 Flaccianello della Pieve, Fontodi
SANGIOVESE
4 cases available at £600 per 6 bottle case in bond
96 points, Antonio Galloni
A rush of intense blue and black stone fruits, tobacco, smoke, licorice, spices and new leather hits the palate in the 2010 Flaccianello. A wine of considerable immediacy and intensity, the 2010 captivates all the senses with its magnificent richness and pure texture. There is so much to like here. Drink: 2018-2035.
2010 Brunello di Montalcino, Fuligni
SANGIOVESE
2 cases available at £1,100 per 12 in bond
94 points, Antonio Galloni
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is all about balance. Remarkably seamless for a young Brunello, the 2010 is also quite expressive and open at this stage, which is one of the signatures of the vintage. Bright red stone fruits, wild flowers and cinnamon are all given an extra kick of intensity and focus from the high acidity of the year. This is a terrific showing from Fuligni. Drink: 2016-2030.
2010 Brunello di Montalcino, Castelgiocondo, Marchesi de Frescobaldi
SANGIOVESE
4 cases available at £210 per 6 bottle case in bond
93 points, Antonio Galloni
Dark red cherry, smoke, plum, wild flowers and cedar are some of the notes that flesh out in the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino from Castelgiocondo. Ripe, soft and textured on the palate, the 2010 impresses for its silkiness and early approachability. Sweet floral and spiced notes reappear on the finish, adding considerable lift and perfume. This is a lovely showing from Castelgiocondo and the Frescobaldi family. Drink: 2015-2025.
2010 Brunello di Montalcino, Il Marroneto
SANGIOVESE
2 cases available at £580 per 6 bottle case in bond
95 points, Antonio Galloni
Dark red cherries, mint, sage, tobacco, licorice and new leather blossom in Il Marroneto's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino. Savory and lifted in the glass, the 2010 possesses stunning overall balance and tons of nuance. The tannins are firm and incisive, yet also remarkably polished. Ideally, readers should cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, but it is going to be very hard to resist the temptation of drinking the 2010 young. Drink: 2017 to 2030.
2010 Eneo, Montepeloso
SANGIOVESE/ MONTEPULCIANO
2 cases available at £255 per 6 bottle case in bond
96 points, Antonio Galloni
One of the great wines of this vintage, the 2010 Eneo is dazzling. Subtle hints of earthiness, new leather, smoke, bacon fat, tobacco and savory herbs meld into a core of expressive dark red/black fruit. Nuanced and delicate, yet immensely powerful, the 2010 Eneo has it all. The 2010 keeps getting better and better in the glass. I imagine it will be spectacular in another few years. Actually, it already is. Eneo is the largest production of Montepeloso's three top reds, which will make it easier to find. Readers will not want to miss the superb wine. Montepulciano and Sangiovese are the core of Eneo, while dollops of Alicante and Marsellan round out the blend. Drink: 2015-2030.
2010 Galatrona, Petrolo
MERLOT
4 cases available at £360 per 6 bottle case in bond
94+ points, Ian D’Agata
Very complex and perfumed aromas of black cherry, violet, black tea and minerals. Also complex and perfumed on the palate, with savory blackberry, black pepper and spice flavors showing multilayered depth and a bright mineral overlay. Finishes bright and long, with a fine dusting of noble tannins and a lovely light touch. A lighter styled Galatrona, but a knockout wine. Drink 2018-2028.
2010 Il Carbonaione, Podere Poggio Scalette
SANGIOVESE
6 cases available at £175 per 6 bottle case in bond
97 points, Antonio Galloni
The 2010 Carbonaione (Sangiovese) is a stunner. Deep, rich and utterly impeccable, the 2010 boasts breathtaking richness, energy and power. The flavors remain incredibly primary in a wine that will require years to develop. Graphite, crushed rocks, blue/black fruit, plums and smoke emerge over time. As phenomenal as the 2010 is today, it really should be cellared for at least a few years. This is a drop dead gorgeous wine from Vittorio and Jurij Fiore. Drink 2016-2030.
2010 La Ricolma, San Giusto a Rentennano
MERLOT
2 cases available at £930 per 6 bottle case in bond
98 points, Antonio Galloni
One of the real showstoppers in this tasting, the 2010 La Ricolma is a wine of pure and total class. When it was younger, the 2010 was a powerhouse, but today it is much more perfumed and refined, with a real sense of grace that runs through it. Dried flowers, mint, sweet red cherry, blood orange and lavender are all beautifully lifted in a translucent, deep Merlot with Sangiovese-like inflections that deliver the goods. This is a superb showing. "From the stand point of weather, 2010 is very similar to 2013." Luca Martini di Cigala explained. In tasting, though, the 2010 is quite a bit more refined. The fruit was brought in on September 24, before the heavy rains that fell in early October that year, during harvest. This is a phenomenal showing from the 2010. Drink: 2020-2035.