Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Reserva 1997

90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot Brilliant ruby colour with cherry aromas and chocolate overtones. It is intensely fruity and complex, yet round, with soft tannins and velvety. The latter part of winter and the beginning of Spring were very mild for the time of year and also very dry. This produced early budding - some 10 days earlier than average. In April the temperature suddenly dropped, causing an arrest in the growth of the buds. The summer was very hot and sunny and this weather continued for the whole of September and for the duration of the harvest which meant that at the time of picking, the grapes were exceptionally healthy and with a high sugar concentration. Overall the 1997 harvest was somewhat less than expected in terms of quantity - but in terms of quality, this is an exceptional vintage, probably even better than the much acclaimed 1990 vintage and one of the greatest of the last fifty years.