Year-in-year-out Piero Lanza turns out wonderful and affordable Chianti Classico from the family farm on the outskirts of Radda. Through a mix of hard work and intellect, Lanza has transformed the vineyards and wines over the past 15 years and gradually transformed the style to a point where they straddle the best aspects of both classic and modern. Typically a blend of sangiovese with a dollop of merlot, the 2009 shows a layered and intense dark cherry fruit on the attack gently seasoned with cedar and dried herbs. The wine has a bold ripe flavour and a deep core of fruit backed by more structure than usual indicating that this wine will stand cellaring for 5+ years. Best of all though the wine has great energy and lift and is delicious Chianti Classico...as usual. PWS