What could make a rainy Monday basic meal of Pasta with Pesto turn into something very special? The 30 year old 13% alcholo 1985 Monsanto Riserva Chianti Classico.
Monsanto dates back to 998 A.D. a village of Etruscan origin. The wine is 90% Sangiovese, 7% Caniolo and 3% Colorino. The label says to decant the wine and of course, at 30 years old, they’d be some sediment. The wine was plum with smoky aromas and sooth as silk! The aftertaste lingered into the next forkful of Pasta.
It cost me $15 back in August of 1990. I’m scoring the wine 18 points because it still has fruit and is one of the best Chianti’s I’ve had in decades.. This is why I suggest you cellar some wines. In vino veritas.
Home-grown basil, picked one hour before cooking, for fresh pesto with Greek olive oil and pine nuts with fresh pasta and a 30 year-old Chianti.
Jim Hemesath
I have 2 bottles of the 1980 Monsanto Riserva tucked away in my wine cellar. Thought it would be over the hill. Now i am anxious to try it.
John Mahoney
You were smart enough to plan ahead.