Another great value in Chianti.  Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries, thyme, and sandalwood.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries and some sour cherries.  Good finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that is ready to go.  Better with food, this would be perfect with weeknight Spaghetti & Meatballs.  Drink over the next couple of years.

Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is slightly earthy with cherries, anise, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is tasty with sour cherries, black cherries, herbal notes and spice.  Good finish.  This is drinking well and should continue for another ten years.  Better with food although nice on its own.  Braised meats would work well (and of course, Fava Beans and Liver).  

In a recent tasting of Chianti Classico Riservas, this was the (surprise) winner of the tasting.  Ruby in color with some purple hues in the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, some salinity, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with a wile thyme note.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is fully mature and ready to drink.  It will be better with food.  Drink over the next five years.  A perfect choice for a Wednesday Meatloaf or Burger.  Great value.  

Nice showing for Banfi, one of the largest wineries in Tuscany, now owned by two of the grandchildren of John Mariani, an American who made his wine fortune selling Riunite.  Ruby in color with slight purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, tea leaves, and sandalwood.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, there is some complexity with nice black cherry fruit.  Good finish.  This is accessible and drinking well.  It won't improve but should drink well for another five to eight years.  Better with food, this is a great choice with Lasagna.  Outstand

I liked this more than the group I was tasting with.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese with the rest Canaiolo and Colorino grapes.  Purple in color with a clear rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, mint, spice and some forest floor.  Firm tannins.  Tight layers.  Complex, this needs some time to open.  Flavors of black cherries, herbs and spice.  Long finish.  This needs a few years in a good cellar and then should drink well for ten to fifteen after that.  It is nice on its own but will be better with food.  This would go well with Beans (and Sausage).  Plenty of ups

This is 100% Sangiovese.  Ruby in color, purple at the core, shimmering bright and mostly clear.  The nose is very nice with cherries, sandalwood, tea, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Moderate acidity.  Nice black cherry fruit on the palate with some spice and slight char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but would be better with food.  A nice wine to accompany pasta with a red sauce.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  I think this is what used to be the "Tan" label.  Ruby in color, darker at the  core.  The nose is initially tight but opens to show dust, cherries, anise and spice.  Light bodied.  Medium tannins.  Slightly bitter cherries on the palate.  Good acidity.  Good finish.  This is a fine CCR and reasonably priced.  It would be a nice mid-week pizza wine.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has limes, apples, and minerality.  Light bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, slight limes, more apples with an interesting green olive note on the finish.  This is refreshing and drinks well on its own.  It will also work nicely with foods.  Salads of all kinds, but would be nice with pasta with a cream sauce.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is from the "middle" sections of the Loire Valley in France.  It is a Sauvignon Blanc that is different from other versions made around the world.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is mineral driven with just a hint of limes.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru.  Nice finish.  This wine needs food.  It works with cheeses and would be great with chicken salad.  Drink up.  

 This is a field blend of mostly Zinfandel but also a large amount of Carignan, Valdigue, and Putzscheere (aka Green Hungarian).  This is one of my favorite Zinfandel vineyards for the texture of the wines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, bramble and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy and balance.  Plush, vibrant texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of black raspberries and black cherries with spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still young but drinking well.  Drink over the