Querciabella Chianti Classico 2008

Not going to lie... we know this is going to be good... with so much chianti out there and so much information available, know before you buy!

EXPERIENCE
Cork smells like dark chocolate. The nose is full of aromas... a light earthiness, a slight sweetness, prominent notes of vanilla and black berries, and sweet almonds at the end... it compels you to drink, though we resist the urge to guzzle. The first taste is tart, with a prominent sour fruit and acidity. As the wine opens the tartness balances and a faint peppery finish emerges. The nose continues to open and reminds us of licorice spice. A medium bodied, full flavored chianti, with plenty of depth throughout the tasting.

VERDICT
GREAT VALUE - $35 is not bad for a great bottle of chianti, and you'll be hard to find one of this quality for much less. Complex, balanced, and easy to drink... what more could you ask. A very different wine from the Fontodi we've had, and trying them both speaks volumes about the endless variations Tuscan winemakers get out of the omnipotent sangiovese grape.

FACTS
Querciabella is located in Greve in Chianti in central Toscana. Their 2008 Chianti Classico is classified DOCG and is made from 95% sangiovese and 5% cabernet sauvignon. The wine is aged (before blending) for up to 14 months, and rests in the bottles for at least 3 months before it's release. Querciabella is a biodynamic winery (a.k.a. organic) though the wines won't be labeled as such in the US. Check out their website for more info.

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2006

The one Italian wine you can always find is Chianti, but that's not always a good thing. There is a lot of low quality Chianti out there, and the odds are against you randomly choosing a good bottle. This one is a bit pricier, but just might restore your faith in Italy's best known wine.

EXPERIENCE
Cork is light and sweet with a hint of white pepper. The nose offers an earthy cinnamon spice and a wee bit of funk. First taste is smooth yet dry on the tongue. There is a bite on the finish with some lingering pepper and a sweet, soft undertone. Well rounded overall with a nice contrast between the nose and the taste.

VERDICT
GREAT VALUE - This bottle sells for right around $30 and is well worth the price. This is what Chianti should be, a refined and balanced take on the sangiovese grape. Get some and restore your faith!

FACTS
This DOCG Chianti Classico comes from the Chianti region in Toscana. It is made from 100% sangiovese grapes and is aged in Troncais and Allier barrels for 12 months. Visit Fontodi's website for more info.

Placido Chianti 2005

Can our replete audience handle this sudden barrage of posts? We'll see... We continue with a recession special. Originally picked for the "horsey" on the label, this DOCG bottle of Chianti cost us a mere $9.90 at our local wine shop. 

EXPERIENCE

A sweet pleasant cork, not too distinct. The nose reminds us of mushrooms, but its not overwhelmingly funky. The wine is soft at first, semi-sweet, with a slightly tart finish. It has a nice medium body and is balanced throughout. Not much change as the wine opens up.

VERDICT

GOOD AND CHEAP. Can't beat the overall product for the money; less than $10 for a balanced, pleasant wine that pairs great with food. Obviously it didn't rock our vinicultural world, but it's nice to have option when trying to overcome the vicious cycle of empty pockets and the need to drink. 

FACTS

The Chianti DOCG region is located in Toscana. There isn't much information out there on Placido, but the US importer has a site here.