Le Miccine

John Szabo (Canada's only Master Sommelier, regular columnist for Vines Magazine and The Restaurant News):  Clean distillate, high quality.  Fresh grappa used here; fennel, oregano, orange blossom.  Long Finish.  [90 points]

Guide to Italian Wines (Tom Hyland):  (barrel sample)  As for Chianti Classico, the 2004 Riservas are very special wines with excellent fruit character and lively acidity to assure several years of improvement.  Look for the ... Le Miccine ....

Beverage Testing Institute, 2008 World Wine Championships:  Deep garnet color.  Bright aromas of spiced nuts, creme brulee, and blackberry pie.  A round, satiny entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of very tangy and tart blackberry, pomegranate, praline, and meringue flavors with a long, powdery tannin and ripe tomato accented finish.  [92 points, Exceptional:  Gold medal]  (See the note about Beverage Testing Institute at the bottom of this page.)

Kyle Phillips's Italian Wine Review, March 2007:  (barrel sample)  On the palate it's full, and fairly rich, with sour citrus laced berry fruit supported by clean tannins that flow into a fairly long lemon laced finish.

Beverage Experts (BevX):  Dark, deep red color.  An amazingly complex nose of wild berries, cherry, cigar box, with mineral and clay notes.  Expansive on the palate with flavors of crushed berries, fresh herbs, brown spices, and complimentary oak notes.  Perfectly balanced and beautifully styled walking the elusive thin line where exotic and classically rustic flavors meet.  [5 stars, Supreme!]

Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition: (June, 2007) Awarded a Silver Medal.

Restaurant Wine Review (Ronn Wiegand):  Excellent Riserva Chianti.  It is full bodied and complex in style, with good depth of fruit, moderate new oak character, a long finish, tasting of red currant, vanilla, toast, aniseed and plum.  Can be aged a bit ... (2009-2011).  [4+ stars]

Wine Enthusiast:  This lavishes on decadent aromas of lively blueberry, sweet chocolate and vanilla cream, creating an ensemble that is rich and intense but not overwhelming in concentration or density.  Le Miccine is an American-owned winery in Gaiole-in-Chianti, run by Clifford and Donna Meneghetti Weaver, with help from legendary enologist Vittorio Fiore.  [91 points]

John Szabo (Canada's only Master Sommelier, regular columnist for Vines Magazine and The Restaurant News):  Moderately open; sweet baking spice, cinnamon, mace, red licorice, red cherry tart, spice cranberry, very complex.  Dry, firm tannins, moderate intensity, average finish, moderate-high alcohol.  [89 points]

Beverage Testing Institute:  Brilliant garnet-ruby red hue. Sexy aromas of red cherry, vanilla and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied with good depth of fruit, this is tasty and nicely balanced with moderate tannins and proper acidity.   [88 points, Highly Recommended]

elmundovino.com (Spain):  Ranked among "The Best of 2003".  (Only two wines received higher ratings)

Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition:  A double medal winner!  Awarded a Gold Medal for limited-production Chianti Classico wines.  Awarded a Silver Medal for Chianti Classico wines.

Decanter World Wine Awards:  Awarded a medal of commendation in a competition that judged over 6,300 wines.

Kyle Phillips, March, 2006:  Fairly deep almandine ruby with black reflections and almandine rim.  The bouquet ... some plum-laced berry fruit and nutmeg spice.  On the palate, it's soft, but deft, with fairly bright jammy cherry fruit that gains definition from raspberry jam acidity, and is supported by tannins that are amble and smoothly woven; it flows into a clean acidic raspberry laced finish.  ... it will drink nicely with succulent red meats .... [2 stars]

Restaurant Hospitality, October, 2006:  ...dozens of wines that can help you better your wine list.  Consider these ....  Red Wine Glass Pour Recommendations:  Le Miccine (Italy) 2003 Chianti Classico.  This small American-owned estate in Tuscany has become a very consistent producer of Chianti Classico over the past few years.  The bright cherry fruit, light tobacco notes and round finish make this ideal with pastas with Bolognese sauce, veal medallions or roast pork.

Gambero Rosso  The Wines of Italy, 2006  [Translated from the Italian Guide]:  ... also pleasing is the 2003 Chianti Classico with its ruby notes, its well-developed perfumes of blackberries and plums, and a taut, succulent body and beautiful personality.  [1 glass]

Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine, 2007:  ... Chianti Classico in a traditional style; elegant wines with excellent structure and distinctive earthiness. [an up-and-coming winery to watch]

www.cheapfunwines.com:  The wine in the glass had a deep purple hue when we first looked at it, which bloomed into a deep ruby red when we held it up to the light.  The nose was all blackberries and plums, with a nice dry light feel to it -- not overwhelmingly fruity or too sweet.  The taste itself was all kinds of berries at first -- the blackberries and cherries we expected, along with something we couldn't pin down at first but eventually identified as blueberries.  It tightened up at the end, with a nice dry but full finish.  Had a nice big mouth feel that showed it could stand up very well to bigger-flavored foods like red sauce Italian foods and savory meats.  Verdict:  This is the best Chianti we've had in a long time by far, and we give it high enough marks that we'd call it our favorite wine we've tried in the last year at least.  Definitely worth the money, and if you can find it we definitely recommend picking up a bottle.

Beverage Experts (BevX):  Deep red, brightly colored.  Ripe fruit and earth tones, sage bush, fill the nose.  Ripe berry and cherry fruits mingle with mineral and cigar box notes as well as a sweet oak influence.  Richly textured and complex.  A very fine example of a hybrid style of Tuscan winemaking being both modern and classic.  [4 stars, Exceptional!]

Wine Enthusiast:  This is a streamlined Chianti Classico with less heft and concentration on the palate and more light elegance.  The nose imparts a sensation of cool harmony thanks to its measured tones of fruit, vanilla and toast.  This is a clean, crisp wine with polished tannins and a smooth texture.  [88 points]

John Szabo (Canada's only Master Sommelier, regular columnist for Vines Magazine and The Restaurant News): Pale-medium garnet red.  Old school style red, evolved, smoked meat, dried herb, cherry, savoury, orange peel, pleasant and complex.  Dry, juicy, crisp acid but sapid [strong, pleasant; savory] mid-palate flavour, moderate (+) finish.  Delicate and polished, saliva inducing.  Drink now - 2013.  [89 points]

Wine behind the label, 2006 (Philip Williamson and David Moore):  A fine, supple Chianti Classico normale includes a little Canaiolo and Malvasia Nera (a real star in the tricky 2002 vintage).  [Named a Tuscan best buy]

Gambero Rosso:  The Wines of Italy, 2005:  [English and Translated from the Italian]  The wines offered this year are notable, as in the past, for quite distinct personalities that render them perfect ambassadors of their territory.  ... Also good is the 2002 Chianti Classico:  Subtle and soft-contoured, with soft and mellow aromas that blend generous blackberry and cherry, refined by just a note of minty balsam.  The style is expressed with elegance, showing a slender, but not insubstantial body, with an engaging vein of acid and judiciously crafted tannins.  The finish is savory and enjoyable.  [2 glasses]

DiWineTaste.com (January, 2005):  This wine shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, moderate transparency.  The nose denotes intense, clean and pleasing aromas that start with hints of black cherry and plum followed by aromas of blueberry, violet, vanilla, licorice, tobacco and carob.  ... the mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a slightly tannic attack ... balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors, good tannins.  The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry and plum. [3 stars]

Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition (May, 2005):  Awarded a Silver medal.

2005 BTI French and Italian Wine Challenge:  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Cherry, currant, coriander and dried rose aromas.  Medium-full with good to very good concentration, this has attractive ripe red fruit, polished tannins, lively acidity and beautifully integrated oak.  This represents finesse over power and is a fine effort from the difficult 2002 vintage.  Named "Best Chianti."  [89 points, Highly Recommended] 

Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition (May, 2005):  Full bodied, pretty color, dry, fragrant.  Awarded a Gold medal and Best of Class Award in the Limited Production Wines category. 

Gambero Rosso:  The Wines of Italy, 2005:  [English and Translated from the Italian]  The wines offered this year are notable, as in the past, for quite distinct personalities that render them perfect ambassadors of their territory.  The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva "Don Alberto" pours a massive ruby color, with intriguing and charming aromas, in which fruit is the initial protagonist, but with hints of aromatic herbs, such as laurel and sage, with a hint of fresh spice.  On entry, it shows an abundance of succulent fruit, a subtle duet of complementary alcohol and tannicity, plus a nervy, lip-smacking acidity, to sign off with a savory, leisurely finish.   [2 glasses]

DiWineTaste.com (January, 2005): This Chianti shows a brilliant ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, modern transparency.  The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of black cherry and raspberry followed by aromas of blueberry, plum, cyclamen, dried violet, vanilla and licorice.  ... the mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a slightly tannic attack and pleasing crispness ... balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, good tannins.  The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry, raspberry and plum.  [4 stars]

Decanter (May, 2005):  Spicy nose resembling cinnamon and chocolate, blackberries and cherries.  Juicy elegant style, ripe, refreshing and lingering .... [3 stars]

2005 BTI French and Italian Wine Challenge:  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Cherry, currant, thyme and vanilla aromas.  Medium-full with very good concentration, this has ripe fruit, attractive spiciness, youthful tannins, and lively acidity.  Impressive now, but better with a few years of cellaring.  Named "Best Chianti Riserva." [92 points, Exceptional]

Tastings (Journal of The Beverage Testing Institute):  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Oak, cherry, thyme and mint aromas.  Medium-full with very good depth of fruit, this is a beautifully balanced wine that has a well-structured finish with nice persistence of fruit, youthful tannins, lively acidity and nicely integrated oak.  [90 points, Exceptional] 

Guide to Italian Wines, June 2004 (Tom Hyland):  Bright ruby red with an aroma of cherry, thyme, oak, and a hint of mint.  Medium-full with very good depth, this is beautifully balanced with lively acidity that keeps the fruit bright and fresh.  The youthful tannins are polished and the oak is nicely integrated.  Drink over the next 3-5 years.  [4 stars]

Restaurant Wine, January/February 2004 (Ronn Wiegand):  Excellent Chianti Classico, with medium richness, light oakiness, and a firm, medium long finish.  It tastes of spicy oak, blueberry, black peppercorn, and tobacco.  [4 stars, Excellent, Highly Recommended]

Gerald O'Kennard, the Director of Tasting for the Beverage Testing Institute, featured Le Miccine's 2001 Chianti Classico on CNBC's Squawk Box on August 20, 2004.  Click on the thumbnail photo at the right for a larger view of O'Kennard; then use your web-browser's Back Button to return to this page.

Le Point (September 2, 2004) [Translated from the French]:  Wooded nose, spices, rich enough, fat but balanced by acidity, long, fine, delicate, pretty fruit, very elegant [16 points]

Wine Enthusiast, October 2004:  A bit sweet on the nose, with aromas of candied fruit and root beer.  Flavors of sweet raspberry and tart pie cherry form a decent palate, which finishes with tea and red-fruit notes.

Luca Maroni, Guide to Italian Wines, 2005 [translated from the Italian]:  In the glass, Le Miccine shows sound, succulent fruit. A spicey Chianti Classico 2001

Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia, 2007:  [Translated from the Italian] This Gaiolese farm returns to the Guide thanks to the excellent Vin Santo it has presented, characterized by notes of honey and dry fruit, a warm, enveloping body and perfect roundness.  [2 glasses]

Gambero Rosso Wines of Italy, 2007:  Welcome back to this Gaiole winery and an excellent Vin Santo with honey and dried fruit aromas and a mouth-filling, warm, beautifully rounded palate.  [2 glasses]

Tastings (Journal of The Beverage Testing Institute):  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Cedar, sun-dried cherry, thyme and oak aromas.  Medium-full with very good depth of fruit.  This has a generous mid-palate that offers layers of flavor, while the finish is lengthy and quite harmonious.  [92 points, Exceptional]

Guide to Italian Wines, June 2004 (Tom Hyland):  Bright ruby red with an aroma of cherry, current, oak and cedar.  Medium-full with excellent concentration.  This has a generous mid-palate and a lengthy, harmonious finish in which all the components mesh well.  Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.  Under the ownership of Americans Donna and Clif Weaver, this estate has been improving over the last several years and this is their best wine to date.  [5 stars]

Restaurant Wine, March/April 2004 (Ronn Wiegand):  A toasty, complex Riserva, which is full bodied, intensely flavored (toasted oak, woodsmoke, plum), and long on the finish.  [4+ stars, Excellent, Highly Recommended]

Decanter, October, 2003:  Fresh ripe stone fruit, toasty aromas.  Toasty flavours, firm tannins too, giving an extra dimension.  Ripe fruit, good weight.  Could almost drink now.  [4 stars, Highly recommended]

Luca Maroni, Guide to Italian Wines, 2005 [translated from the Italian]:  In the glass, Le Miccine shows sound, succulent fruit. ... An excellent Chianti Classico Riserva Don Alberto 2000 that combines power with persuasive appeal, great fruit with woody balsam tones.

Tastings (Journal of The Beverage Testing Institute):  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Fresh cherry, raspberry and thyme aromas.  A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate that offers very good depth of fruit, balanced tannins and acidity.  [88 points, Highly Recommended]  

Gambero Rosso: The Wines of Italy,  2003:   ... the oak ... doesn't stop the fruit from dominating the situation and providing a broad, very pleasing palate.   [2 glasses]

Restaurant Wine, March/April, 2003 (Ronn Wiegand):  A complex Chianti Classico, which is full bodied, elegantly flavored (plum, rose petal), with overtones of toasted oak, pepper, and cherry.   Long finish.

Guide to Italian Wines, August-September 2003 (Tom Hyland):  Bright ruby red with an aroma of fresh cherry, raspberry and thyme.  Medium-full with very good concentration.  Well rounded finish with balanced tannins and lively acidity.  This is a fine food wine and would be perfect with meats and young cheeses. .... [Four stars]

Wine Enthusiast:  A bouquet of ink, dark fruit and dried cheese kicks things off.  Next comes a candied raspberry flavor and lots of wood spice.  [87 points]

Wine Enthusiast:  Aromas of cassis, cola and a hint of lemon make for an attractive bouquet.  The mouth is a bit tangy due to electric red fruit bolstered by powerful acids.  But it's one snappy, clean package.  Gets better with airing, so try to give it time before drinking.  [90 points]

Tastings (Journal of The Beverage Testing Institute):  Brilliant ruby red hue.  Black cherry, cedar, tobacco and clove aromas.  A rich entry leads to a generous mid-palate and a lingering, elegant finish that has very good depth of fruit, balanced tannins and lively acidity.  [90 points, Exceptional)

Guide to Italian Wines, 2003: Luca Maroni:  [Translated from the Italian]  A good glass, always thoroughly excelling in supple, delicate flavors of spice. The fascinating spice of the 1999 Don Alberto Chianti Classico Riserva is very nicely balanced by its fleshy, ripe cherries.

Decanter, November 2002: Clean and modern, lots of oak.  Oak quite evident on palate.  Acid quite high but fresh fruit and good length. [Three Stars]

Luca Maroni On-line:  Very smooth and pleasant -- not tannic --the scent of this wine suggests balsam.  The cherry fruit and oaky mint mingles neatly and persuasively on the palate.

Guide to Italian Wines, August-September 2003 (Tom Hyland): Bright ruby red with an aroma of black cherry, cedar, tobacco and clove.  Medium-full with very good concentration.  There is a long and elegant finish offering very good depth of fruit, balanced tannins and lively acidity.  Enjoyable now, but will be at its best in 3-5 years.  [Four stars]

Decanter, October 2004:  Special Awards Issue (The World's Greatest Wines)--Commended

Wine Enthusiast, August, 2002:  Aromas of berry, wet earth, creamy oak and a touch of horsehide reveal a sweet raspberry-tinged palate that seems to want to wrestle with the oak.  The finish is medium to heavy, and a bit hot.  There's plenty of verve and fruit here .... [86 points]

The Farms and The Wines of Chianti Classico (Luca Managlia and Leonardo Romanelli):  The Chianti Classico presents itself with the characteristic nose that recalls violets, fresh cherries, and plums, with light nods of rhubarb.  On the palate, it distinguishes itself for its leanness and depth of balance that makes it very inviting to drink.  [Translated from the Italian]

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Deep ruby-red hue.  Dark fruited, almost gamey aromas are quite exotic.  Rich and fresh on the attack with a medium-bodied palate, vibrant acidity, and a sweet herbal streak running through the finish.  [Highly Recommended]  

Atlanta International Wine Summit:  Awarded Bronze Medal.

Decanter, October, 2001:  Deep cherry and powerful fruit aromas with a big dollop of oak.  Although powerful tannins dominate, the fruit is emerging on the palate.  [Three Stars]

Tastings.com, the website Journal of the Beverage Testing Institute, featured Le Miccine Chianti Classico 1999 as its wine of the week in November, 2001:  Chianti Classico is one of the most food-friendly red wines you could put on the table and this example from Le Miccine (privately owned by an American couple) shows Sangiovese in all its glory--slightly gamey, berryish and showing a light herbal note.

Jyllandsposten:  [Translated from the Danish]  "Le Miccine -- very generous, delicious with everything....  Interestingly composed of exactly the grapes recommended by the "Baron"....  [17.5/20 points]

Guide to Italian Wines, December 2002-January 2003:  Bright ruby red-light purple with an aroma of cherry, cedar, thyme and plum.  Medium-full with very good concentration.  Elegant, fruit-driven finish with moderate tannins and good acidity.  Easy drinking style for now or the next 2-3 years. [Three Stars]

Tastings (Journal of The Beverage Testing Institute):  Brilliant golden yellow hue. Apricot, hazelnut and caramel aromas.  A rich entry leads to a moderately full-bodied palate and a slightly sweet finish with very good depth of fruit and balancing acidity.  [88 points, Highly Recommended]

Luca Maroni SensOnLine:  [Translated from the Italian]  This is an optimum vin santo:  Dense, round, opulent in lively sweetness, yet fresh; sweetly and cleanly spiced.

Wine Enthusiast, August, 2002:  Very ripe, with earthy aromas of black plum, berry liqueur and bitter chocolate.  The mouthfeel is meaty and muscular, but not hard.  A wall of moderate tannins builds after a few sips, but the overall feel is still soft.  The finish is medium in length, with adequate depth.

The Farms and The Wines of Chianti Classico (Luca Managlia and Leonardo Romanelli):   ... Don Alberto gives off notes of black cherries and fairly ripe plums, joined to elegant, measured spices.  [Translated from the Italian]

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Deep ruby-red hue.  Dried cherry, berries, and a brush of wood spice follows through on a medium-bodied palate with fresh acidity and fine persistence of bitter cherry flavors cutting through soft tannins.  An angular, flavorful Riserva.  [Highly Recommended]   

Atlanta International Wine Summit:  Awarded Silver Medal.  (See the note about the Atlanta International Wine Summit at the bottom of this page.)

Guide to Italian Wines, 2002; Luca Maroni:  [Translated from the Italian] Great spices, sweet on the nose, embracing and charming.  It has dense extracts, softness and roundness of taste, and what power!  A beautiful wine, that caresses with vanilla balanced to perfection ("montano a zabaione") with spices and alcohol.

Falstaff:  [Translated from the German]  Splendid ruby-violet with a bright rim; a spicy nose, like cloves with a bit of geranium in the background; sweet and soft in the beginning, it evolves to a nice full crisp cherry, fresh with fine tannins, and finishes with a bit of mint.

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Brilliant, saturated ruby hue.  Pure vanilla and red fruit aromas carry an international oak accent.  A rich entry leads to a firm, medium-bodied palate with grainy tannins and good fruit substance.  Flavorful, mouthwatering finish.  Stylish. [Highly Recommended]

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Brilliant cherry-red hue.  Attractive, floral licorice and mineral nose.  A firm entry leads to  a lean, angular, medium-bodied palate with grippy tannins and a quick finish.  A light and lean wine for the table.

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  In its Special Italian Holiday Issue of Tastings (the journal of the Beverage Testing Institute), Le Miccine was one of only 16 producers honored as "Premier Riserva Chianti Classico Producers."

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Deep, saturated ruby hue.  Perfumed chocolate and leather aromas jump from the glass.  A rich entry leads to a firm, moderately full-bodied palate with solid grip and intensity.  Shows good density with a pure, minerally finish.  Should develop over the mid-term.  [Exceptional]

Wine Enthusiast:  Some rubber aromas are offset by blackberry, and then some warm wood appears as the bouquet blossoms.  Plum and cherry are the flavors.  The palate is clean and full of depth.  Smooth and woody down the stretch, it keeps its balance at all points.  Give it a few years to show its best.  [89]

Guide to Italian Wines (December 2002-January 2003):  Bright ruby red with an aroma of black cherry, plum and tobacco.  Medium-full with very good concentration.  This is an elegant wine that has nice weight without heavy tannins.  The oak is nicely integrated and the acidity is well-defined.  This is drinking well now [December 2002] and should hold for another 5-7 years.

Gambero Rosso, The Wines of Italy 2000 [Translated from the Italian] ... makes an excellent impression.  It has a beautiful, strongly concentrated, ruby red color, with tints of purple.  On the nose, the wine surprises with the elegance and finesse of its perfumes, in which the sweetness of vanilla comes balanced with a sensual bouquet of wild berries.  The attack is big and fleshy, a beautiful fabric, where the weft of tannin stretches across the threads of alcohol and the guy rope of acidity supports the entire structure.  The finish is a crescendo, strong and fully satisfying.  [2 glasses]

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Brilliant ruby-purple hue.  Lovely, ripe chocolate and berry aromas.  A rich entry leads to a supple, velvety, moderately full-bodied palate.  Rounded finish with grippy tannins.  [Highly recommended]

Kyle Phillips (Italian Wine Review) for Citylife (Firenze.net):  An excellent example of intensive wood use that will work well with red and meat-sauced pastas, and well-flavored cuts of meat ....

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.: Brilliant ruby-garnet hue.  Lean, spicy, mineral aromas.  An angular entry leads to a lighter-styled, moderately light-bodied palate.  Grippy finish with an attractive chocolate overtone. [Highly recommended]

Kyle Phillips (Italian Wine Review) for Citylife (Firenze.net):  [Translated from the Italian]  "Some Chianti Classicos are light and exuberant, others austere, and others sensual.  The wines of Le Miccine, an emerging winery in Gaiole in Chianti, fit in this last leg of the triangle.

Beverage Testing Institute Inc.:  Bright garnet hue.  Exotic, earthy, olive aromas.  A supple entry leads to a medium-bodied palate with velvety tannins.  Rich, rounded finish.  [Highly recommended]

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:  Medium-full ruby.  Solidly ripe cherry aroma with well-integrated vanillin oak.  Medium body.  Quite ripe, even fleshy flavors, loaded with kirsch-like fruit, hints of herbs, vanilla and a touch of earthiness.  Well balanced, with fine tannins and evident extract, though a bit short due to acidity and recent bottling.  This should develop well, given the absence of aggressive tannins.  [Two stars]