notes/impressions from a taste of italy

[cheeps]

newsguy - Hi, I'm very new to wine and have only just started trying different reds and trying to learn about them (I formerly drank only white wines, atho I really don't know as much as I should about those either!). I bought a bottle of 1997 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducal - I think what I have is a Gold Label, but the bottle is home, so I can't say for sure. I was curious about your comment that it was "much better than I expected given previous experience with this wine." I paid $29 which is a real splurge for me, and it is the most I've ever spent on a bottle of wine so far. What is it that you haven't liked about this wine? I know taste varies from person to person, and at the point I'm at now I still can barely tell one wine from another, altho I am getting a bit better, so I may not be able to appreciate the subtleties that you can. Thanks!

Lisa