The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva Badia a Passignano is a rich, dense wine loaded with dark fruit, new leather, tobacco, earthiness, smoke and sweet spices. This juicy, plump red reveals excellent persistence and a long finish in a surprisingly concentrated style for this vintage. The wine can be enjoyed today or cellared for a few years for readers who prefer more tertiary complexity. The Chianti Classico Badia a Passignano is Sangiovese that spends 14 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015. From top to bottom this is a beautiful set of wines from Antinori. The estate’s 2006 Guado al Tasso, Tignanello and Solaia are all beautiful, even if they don’t appear to possess the elegance of the superb 2004s. Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA, tel. (425) 415-3738