Nipozzano Riserva, 2002 Chianti

Tonight I had the pleasure of tasting the 2002 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva. This wine, produced from 640 ha at an altitude of about 1000 feet, is from an area that's produced wine since the 13th Century.

I found the wine to be extremely earthy with strong and deep tannins, from the initial taste through the finish. I've not tasted a chianti with such earthiness! It was also fairly acidic (Rebekah remarked that it "burned" on the way down). I quite liked this wine (retail between $15 and $20) but this could use some aging to smooth out the tannins.

Wine Spectator rates this a 90!