I always feel guilty cracking open a bottle of wine when I'm the only one drinking it. It's much nicer when you can enjoy this experience with someone. There's also a feeling of foolishness or maybe even guilt about knowing that you can't finish the bottle-what a waste. But there I am standing in front of my brother's wine cooler, peering in as though a kid in a candy store gazing at the vast collection. I found my decision to be quite difficult. The fact that none of the bottles were mine, and most, quite expensive, made the decision even more taxing. A rare Heitz Cabernet Bella Oaks hiding on the lowest shelf was extremely tempting. 1985 Latricieres Chambertin would have been amazing. As I was placing back another gem, I saw a bottle of 2006 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, perched on the top shelf. Thinking to myself, "I think I can afford to replace this bottle." I had wanted to try it after the 2003 vintage stunned my taste buds, for only twenty dollars. The 2006 had to be even better, given the fantastic outcome of the vintage on a broad scale.
18.95 for a 2006 Tuscan wine? Yep!!! And that was exactly my question after tasting it. Given that the life span of this wine's maturity begins in 2012, I thought it best to decant for at least an hour. As soon as I popped the cork, an explosion of black fruit, tobacco, and candy fumes poured out from atop the bottle. The palate was round and complex, with a strong and powerful structure. A pleasant amount of fruit helped to mask the strong tannins. This wine would definitely benefit from a few years of cellaring, but also can be enjoyed now. As the night progressed, so did the quality and complexity. I definitely see how this wine will continue to age and improve with time.
The 2006 Monsanto totally shocked me. It was incredibly enjoyable to drink, even alone, and for a mere $18.95 and a life span of 2012 - 2026, why not throw a few cases in the cellar. Or allow someone else to, and just visit a lot.