$15.95 | Tuscany, Italy | 89 points
Tuscany is the focus of a current Vintages release, with a high-flying assortment of classic Brunellos and cabernet/merlot–influenced “super Tuscans.” But this somewhat more low-flying $16 Chianti is the best buy of the bunch, and it has been delivering its charm and richness in every vintage I can remember in recent years.
The taste: It doesn’t have a classically firm structure and runs just a touch sweet, but it has counter-balancing acidity, tension and juiciness, with fine tannin. Ripe currant fruit, spice, herbs and leather flavours have very good to excellent presence and length, amid lightly chocolaty oak. There is a certain sensuality that is very appealing, if hard to explain.
How to drink it: It has great drinkability now, so enjoy it any time over the next three to four years. Serve it just below room temperature in a large-bowled glass that will show off its aromas. It’s a Chianti you can sip on its own or enjoy with well-seasoned poultry, pork or beef—but this is not a tangy Italian pasta or pizza wine.
The picture in the article shows the Chianti Classico Riserva, a much different wine. Also, budget Chianti should be synonymous with typical Italian fare such as pizza, pasta with tomato sauce, reggiano cheese, etc. The tasting notes here tell the story of something that has no sense of place, its more like a new world copy. Although I’ve tasted this wine several times since it was first (to my knowledge) released in Ontario (2005 vintage) I haven’t seen what all the hype is about. For a few $$ more, you can find much better examples of Sangiovese. One other beef, the producers use of the word Riserva in the name is very misleading.