Cantine Leonardo – In the Heart of Chianti

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Leonardo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry NV
  Sparkling Wine from Italy - Veneto

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very pale straw colour with green hues, this has a fine bead with good persistence. Elegant on bouquet with light, attractive, citrus fruit, floral and green apple aromas. Dryish to taste, this is clean and light with soft frothy effervescence and textures, and gently sweet flavours of white stonefruits and honeysuckle. The acidity is soft and the palate line is carried stylishly to a moderately sustained finish. This is a clean, soft and delightfully soft Prosecco to drink as an aperitif over the next 2 years. 100% Prosecco grapes from the northern Piave district in Treviso, Veneto, Martinotti-Charmat method sparkling, fermented to 11.0% alc. 17.5-/20 Mar 2012 RRP $17.99
• Da Vinci Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT 2011
  Pinot Gris from Italy - Veneto

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  100% Pinot Grigio from the Venezie, north-east Italy, cool-fermented to 12.5% alc. Bright straw-yellow with hints of light gold to the colour, pale on rim. This has a moderately intense and fresh nose of pears, white stonefruits and minerals, with clean green apple notes, the bouquet easy and appealing. Dry to taste, this is full and broadly expressed with open, accessible flavours of stonefruits and pears. The palate is soft and mouthfilling, finishing with a touch of quinine-like bitterness and muskiness. This is a broad, thirst-quenching Pinot Grigio to serve with antipasto and seafood over the next 18 months. 16.0+/20 Mar 2012 RRP $19.99
• Leonardo Chianti DOCG 2010
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, near-impenetrable black-red colour, a touch of garnet on edge. This has a soft, moderately full nose with aromas of red berries and cherries, up-front with primary, confectionary-like aromatics. Light-bodied, this has soft black fruit and savoury herb flavours with modest tannin extraction and noticeable acidity. This is simple and attractively mellow through mid-palate, and has a firm dry finish showing acidity. This is a supple, uncomplicated Chianti showing bright primary fruit. 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, the remainder other red varieties, primarily from the Vinci hills, fermented to 12.5% alc. without oak contact. Serve with antipasto and tapas over the next 2-3 years. 16.0/20 Mar 2012 RRP $17.99
• Leonardo Chianti Reserva DOCG 2008
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% other red varieties from members of the cantine in the Vinci district, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Full, dark ruby-red and black coloured with some garnet hues on edge. The aromas are soft but concentrated, showing ripe black bitter cherry fruit with dark herbs liquorice and oak spices in support. Medium-bodied, the palate features intense dark bitter cherry fruit flavours with nuances of liquorice and oak spices. Supple, grainy-textured tannins and discreet acidity contribute to a soft mouthfeel. Fine and dry tannins and oak spice nuances add interest to the black-fruited finish. This has fruit prominence with clear oak spicing in a modern styled wine. Match with barbecued and grilled lamb and beef dishes or hard cheeses over the next 4-6 years. 17.5+/20 Mar 2012 RRP $27.99
• Da Vinci Chianti DOCG 2010
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% other red varieties from 15-20 y.o. vines from Vinci and Cerreto Guidi, fermented in stainless-steel vat to 12.5% alc., the wine aged 6 months in new and seasoned French oak casks. Full, very deep, black-red colour, near impenetrable. The bouquet is shy, showing restrained fresh red berry and cherry fruit, quite primary, along with dark herbs, and a minerally note as well as floral lift. Light-medium bodied, bright bitter cherry fruit flavours show alongside spice and liquorice notes as well as herbs. Modest tannin structure and balanced acidity provide the palate with good proportions, leading ro a fresh, crisp, grainy textured finish. Bright and lively, this is an elegant wine with balance and some textural grip to match pizza and pasta over the next 3-4 years. 16.5/20 Mar 2012 RRP $20.99
• Da Vinci Chianti Reserva DOCG 2008
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 21-Mar-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, near-impenetrable black-red colour. This has a soft, full and well-integrated nose, with red cherry fruit, cedary oak and layers of spices all interwoven harmoniously. Medium-full bodied, softly rich and lush flavours flow across the palate, with red berry fruits, cedar and brown spices featuring. Soft, supple tannins support the richness and the acidity in the background. The oak is a little more prominent on the long finish. This is a smooth and lush Chianti, the cedary oak a little to the fore. It will match slow-cooked red meat dishes over the next 4-5+ years. 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah, Canaiolo and Colorino, from co-op vineyards around Vinci, fermented in stainless-steel vats to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in French oak barriques. 17.5+/20 Mar 2012 RRP $30.99