Monteraponi, Chianti Classico Riserva “Il Campitello”

I’m throwing down the gauntlet today: If you’re a Burgundy-head, and are convinced that Italian reds (whether from Sangiovese or Nebbiolo) can’t compete with your beloved French Pinots, taste today’s 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva from Monteraponi. If you’re still unmoved after that, well, as the kids like to say on Twitter: Fight me.Yes, I know that’s a little extreme (and unnecessary…a polite debate would be fine), but now that I have your attention, allow me to sing the praises of this “grand cru” Sangiovese from one of the most critically celebrated producers in recent Italian history. I don’t even like making this whole “Burgundy of Italy” argument in the first place, but when you’re dealing with a polarizing region like Chianti Classico—I’m on the “true believer” pole, by the way—you do what you have to do. Monteraponi proprietor Michele Braganti has often stated that great Burgundy is very much what he aims to emulate, so I’m not grasping at straws here; his “Il Campitello” viney