Note that this is NOT the Ducale Oro (Gold Label).

Medium-ruby colour. Aromas of raisins, cherries and plums. Medium bodied. Fresh tasting, well-integrated tannins with raisins, black cherry, and a lingering finish with a touch of raspberry. Drink now. 86 points

I tasted this wine and the gold label back to back earlier this year. Here is what I jotted down:

Ruffino Chianti Classico
Riserva (Ducale Gold) '97

color was semi
transparent and
brownish-red indicat-
its age; smelled of
smoked meat and
alcohol; very dry with
nice balance btw
ripe cherries and
oaky toast and
vanilla; lovely finish

Ruffino Chianti ClassicoRiserva (Ducale) '97
more of a purple-red
with not quite the
tongue coating tan-
nin in the Gold label;
otherwise very similar
without the long
finish

The Gold got a 6 out of 10 and the Regular Ducale got a 5.5. On my scale, anything above 5 is good and 9's and 10's are extremely scarce

I tasted this wine recently and agree with your 86 pts, drink now. Good wine but not great.
I also have had the Gold Label 1990 recently and felt it was thin and past its prime. I do not have good luck aging the Ducale label.

I've got a couple bottles of the '97 Ducale Oro, and I think I should try one soon. I was able to find another thread with TNs on the wine earlier today, but a search just now was fruitless. Another TNs purge? Oh well ..

I remember it to be better than 86pt when I have a year or two ago (Nick, I don't know about your 1-10 scale). More like 89-90 pt for me.

Anyhow, best Chianti Classico I have todate are

3) Fontodi 99... 90pt (I posted TN somewhere in this forum)
2) Felsina 99 91pt (also posted review in this forum).

And number one is...

1) Felsina 97 Reserva 91+pt. (no TN, I have it a year ago when I wasn't a member of this forum).

DP

Very happy to read your tasting notes. I have always found this to be a good value. I'm sitting on a 1998 and was going to get at it soon. Any comments from you Chianti lovers on this vintage?

Ric,

I don't have any tasting notes on the 98, but I rated it similar to the '97. I would say to drink now.

Just out of curiousity, where in Canada are you located?

I rate wines on a scale of 1 to 10 mainly for my own reference. I think way too many wines get scores in the upper 80's and lower 90's. If I get time, I'll post some of my TN's so people can get an idea of what derserves what.

I've tried all those chiantis you mentioned. the '95 Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Riserva is the
best Chianti I've ever had, but the '99 is probably just as good. I have a couple '97 Fattoria di Felsinas sitting for a special italian dinner. Another good thing about the Fattoria is that it's so affordable.

Hey Futronic
I'm in the eastern side of the GTA. Thanks for the comments on the '98.
I drink a lot of wine but am an amateur when it comes to evaluating vintages. I know what I like though and riserva ducale always seemed to me to be reliable and consistent and good value.