Villa Cerna Chianti Classico 1998

Villa Cerna Chianti Classico (Tuscany) 1998: A garnet-red hue, fading to a pink rim. Not a great intensity of colour. Agitation brings the fruit to the fore on the nose, with a macerated, slightly stewed character. Alongside there are gamy aromas, and a suggestion of dry, twiggy undergrowth, which gives it a Burgundian feel. There is obvious weight on entry, together with some good fruit. Strong acidity, with soft, woody, drying tannins. The overall mouthfeel is somewhat lean and reserved, although there is a rounded, slightly oily edge to the texture. Eventually I decided I enjoyed this wine. What more can I say? Good. (4/9/02)