The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Castello di Monna Lisa is a big, dramatic wine bursting with sweet black cherries, licorice, menthol and sweet scents of French oak. This is a fairly rich, structured style of Chianti. As good as the Monna Lisa is, I had a slight preference for some of the lesser-oaked wines, as the wood tannins add a touch of astringency. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.
Importer: Bedford International, Larchmont, NY; tel. (914) 833-2725