Poggiotondo, Chianti Riserva DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) 2008

 Kick the dirt in just about any vineyard in Chianti and you’ll turn up numerous calcareous seashells deposited millennia ago when the Mediterranean receded.  The name Conchiglie (think conch shell) comes from this old marine soil, with the soil imparting a mineral note to the wine.  Fermented in oak using native yeasts, the wine is then decanted into French oak barrels to age for 20 months.  The result is a big dark brooding wine with layers of dark fruit flavors, plenty of spicy French oak, a sensuous creamy texture, 14% alcohol and a long supple finish with a hint of bitterness.  Give this wine time for the fruit to come forward more and integrate with the oak.