The 2007 Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva (Sangiovese) comes across as quite plush and deep. It shows lovely mid-palate pliancy in its floral red fruit along with soft, silky tannins that frame the finish. Tar, licorice and smoke are nicely layered into the finish. The Badia a Passignano is 100% Sangiovese. This vineyard ripened on the late side in 2007, giving the wine much of its textural finesse. With air, the wine is absolutely singing today. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017. Antinori seems to do everything well these days, from churning out millions of bottles of supermarket wines all the way to turning out superb versions of their many flagship bottlings. This is another impressive set of new releases with a number of highlights. Over the years oenologist Renzo Cotarella has moved away from the super-late harvests of the late 1990s/early 2000s in favor of picking slightly earlier, a decision that has paid off handsomely, especially over the last few years. Antinori’s 2008s, from a vintage that is quite inconsistent across the board, are superb. I remember spending a few days near the estate’s Tignanello and Badia a Passignano estates in mid-August 2008. The days were very hot, but the nights were so cool that a sweater or light jacket was a necessity Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA, tel. (425) 415-3738