This is a good value Chianti at $19. It has typical sangiovese aromas of sour cherry and earth, and a palate with fresh acidity, firm but not hard tannins, and little evident oak influence. Ready to drink now, this wine can be approached over the next few years. Rating: Good. Abv: 13%. Price: $19. Website: https://www.cecchi.net/en.
There’s always a slight legal mystery tour with European wine labels. “Chianti Superiore” is another. From what I can tell, and feel free to correct me if you have found better sources, this label means it cannot be from the Chianti Classico subregion, must have a minimum alcohol of 11.5% and the wine must wait, like Chianti Classico, until October following vintage for release (cf. Chianti which must only wait until 1 March). So for practical purposes it’s not Chianti Classico, but expectations may be greater than for a simple Chianti. In the unlikely event that you are still reading, thank you. Maybe I should write a guide for interpreting foreign wine labels.
And what of the wine itself? This particular Chianti Superiore is very typical in its sangiovese expression. Earth, cherry and some texture. Not amazing, but not bad for $25.
Rating: Good
Abv: 13.5%
Price: $ 25
Source: sample
Vendors and website: http://poggiotondowines.com
Tasted: 2016
Organic Chianti. Not something I’ve seen before, I think, but why not. The aromatics are pleasingly typical of sangiovese in its Chianti guise. Dust, earth and ripe black cherries. The palate is mid weight, textural and savoury. Lovely Chianti for $20.
Rating: Good
Abv: 13%
Price: $20
Vendors and website: http://www.poggiotondowines.com
Tasted: 2016