Tuscany

• Brunello di Montalcino
• Chianti

Chianti doesn't get the recognition it deserves.  Some of the best Chianti's (and this is one of them) are as good as most Brunello's or most other wines.  Factor in price, and these are some of the great red wine values of the world.  This was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very nice with dark cherries, some forest floor/tea leaves and a bit of tarragon.  On the palate, juicy acidity.  This went great with Grilled Polenta with a three pepper sauce.  Flavors of sour cherries, some black cherries with a bit of tea.  Nice finish.  This is just s

This sells for about $7.  It certainly is an excellent value at that price.  A nice wine to order at a local Italian restaurant or buy for a party.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is clean with raspberries, and light black cherries.  Slight tea leaves.  On the palate, this is crisp and clean.  Cherried.  Nary a tannin.  Dry but a perception of sweetness.  Good acidity.  Works with food.  

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has dark cherries.  Dusty.  With air, there is some anise and hay.  Soft texture.  More cherry cough drops on the palate.  Easy to drink.  Good acidity.  Great value at $10.  

OMG.  This bottle was opened about 3 hours prior to drinking and decanted about 20 minutes prior (mostly for sediment).  I was just blown away.  I thought it would be good, even great, but it was amazing.  Purple/ruby in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is awesome.  Deep with plums, dark cherries, iodine, slight sandalwood and spice, lush earthiness with lush forest floor notes.  On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant.  Complex, layered and deep.  Dark cherries, earthiness, forest floor notes, slight tea with just a slight drying tannin (in a good way).  Great acidity.  Worked perfectly

Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and dust.  On the palate, this has sweet cherry fruit.  A bit one dimensional but nice enough. It has a bit of prunes on the finish.  Solid wine.  

I have always been a fan of this wine going back decades.  It used to be labeled as a Chianti but now they add fruit outside the zone and about 55% Sangiovese.  It is still a great value and a wine that will age in the cellar for ten years at least.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is earthy with sandalwood and cherries and an underlying char.  It is complex on the palate.  Great texture.  Cherries and cherry liqueur.  Nice acidity making it food friendly.