During a visit to the Fattoria di Monsanto in 1983, I tasted the Santa Caterina Chianti Classico for the first time. That day, I spend several hours speaking with the owner, Fabrizio Bianchi. He introduced to Laura Bianchi, his daughter, who now runs the winery, as well as her sister and their mother. It was a wonderful visit and one I still remember after all these years. Recently when I saw the wine for sale I just had to purchase it.
Santa Caterina Chianti Classico 1978 DOC Fattoria di Monsanto –the wine was likely made mostly from Sangiovese with a little Canaiolo. They stopped using white grapes in 1968. This was their wine to be drunk young and for everyday drinking. They stopped making it in the 1990’s replacing it with a wine called Monrosso, which is not a Chianti Classico.
For a wine that was made to be drunk young this wine has lasted for 42 years, once again proving that Sangiovese can age. The wine had hints of red berries, leather, cooked fruit. and a hint of violets with no signs of oxidation.
With the wine we ate grilled lamb kabobs with peppers, onions and tomatoes.
We finished the wine with two cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano and a young Piave. 
Michele’s anise and wine cookies are a staple in our house and I finished the meal with them and a good cup of espresso.
Charles Scicolone on Wine 