Sangiovese

One of my evil guilty pleasures is to put this on the table with non wine geeks and see if they drink it.  Usually, they don't, but the ones who do are impressed.  Some will just see that it is a Chianti and think it can't be any good.  This is possibly the best that Chianti offers and certainly one of the top wines that Italy offers.  Although expensive, given that, it is priced fairly.  At age 10, this is still young and needs more air though with a few hours, it drank well.  Deep garnet with purple streaks, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, black

What a great vintage 2016 ha turned out to be for Chianti in general and this one in particular.  Not the cheapest Chianti, but this is outstanding.  Deep ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, black cherries, sandalwood and tea leaves.  Medium bodied.  Great balance.  Lovely acidity.  Spry.  On the palate, lots of lush black cherry fruit with underlying forest floor.  Clean.  Deep.  Long finish.  This will continue to mature for another five to eight years and drink well for a decade after that.  A nice match for pasts of all kinds.  

There are so many truly great values in 2015/2016 Chiant's that this one was a bit disappointing.  That is a bit harsh, as this is an excellent wine.  But for the price and pedigree, more was expected (which is perhaps a bit unfair).  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight coffee and a bit of forest floor.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, ripe fruit.  Not the level of acidity that I come to expect in chianti, but some.  Light tannins.  Cherry fruit with underlying dust and earthiness.  Good finish.  Perhaps this is a bit shut down at this p

Great showing for this wine.  A solid vintage and a very good producer really combined for a success.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, anise, and slight tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Ripe cherries on the palate with underlying forest floor.  Light tannins.  Lots of depth and complexity.  Also, delicious.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  Great value for a wine of this quality.  This is not yet at peak, maybe another 3 to 5 years, and then should dirnk well for ten to fifteen after that.  A great match for pasta bolognaise.  

A delightful wine that is a step or two above a entry level super Tuscan.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sandalwood, slight chocolate and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there are upfront cherries supported with nice acidity.  It broadens on the palate to a variety of cherry flavors with touch of tea leaves.  Nice finish.  This may still improve for a few years in the cellar, but in general, this should make nice drinking for the next seven to ten years.  It drinks well on its own but will work be

Pop and pour, this wine is hitting its sweet spot now.  Deep ruby in color with purple swirls.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, tea leaves and slight anise.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, there are moderate tannins.  Lots of cherry and black cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Great acidity.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but really is better with food.  Pasta is a great choice but this will work well with any meat/fowl or veggie dish.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This was my first time trying this wine and at least in this great vintage, this wine is outstanding.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, forest floor/tea leaves, char and spice.  Full bodied.  The fruit is ripe but certainly not over done.  Flavors of cherries, char over an earthy/forest floor note.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  The wine is still young and should continue to mature for another five to seven years and then will drink well for 10 more after that.  It should work great with any meat or fowl dish and of course, pizza or pasta.  This is a gr

This is drinking well right now.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, sandalwood, dried cherries and slight anise.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The cherries carry thru with an underlying minerality.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks better with food and went well with home grilled pizza.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese which makes it a "Super Tuscan".  It is, however, not expensive and truly a great value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, baking spices and slight woodiness.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  A nice backbone of acidity.  It has a soft but inviting texture.  Delicious red berry fruit with underlying dry earthiness.  Medium finish.  This drinks great on its own but is better with food.  A great "pizza wine".  It should be good for another five to seven years.  

Opened this with some pasta at home during the Covid 19 Quarantine to enjoy with the family.  Pop and pour and consumed over 4 hours.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, sour cherries, wet tea leaves and baking spices.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit modern in style and full bodied.  Lots of red fruits, mostly cherries with some underlying charred forest floor.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This worked well with the food and on its own after dinner.  It is still on the youthful side with some tannins.  Drink now and for the next ten years.