It’s really a wonderful thing when you stay away from a particular varietal for a while and when you do try one you find a fabulous wine that hits all the notes and impresses beyond your expectations. I got a little spoiled with a Sangiovese last year that I can no longer get so rather than be disappointed I have just not bought any for a while now and that included Chianti’s.

I have tasted this wine before and always been satisfied; I can’t say past vintages have impressed me as much as this one has. The wine is a Leonardo Locassio selection and his reputation for bringing great Italian wines to the USA is equal to Kermit Lynch’s ability to find great French wines. The blend is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo and the aromas started with bright cranberry, cherry notes a hint of 5-Spice powder and earthiness like you smell right before it rains. The medium-body stretches to almost full-bodied and the strength of the balance in its flavor brings home the bacon making this Chianti an excellent wine for almost anytime.

The texture in the mouth is dense and concentrated the flavor profile is all Italian Cherry, leather, cedar and caramel apple dances on the tongue and the walls of your mouth as this wine fills your sensory receptors with delight. The finish is just long enough to let the wine cleanse your palate and get you ready for your next bite so you can repeat the process. I served this with a dish that I recreated after a wonderful meal I had last week down in Healdsburg at Bistro Ralph (Great job Mr. Tingle). The dish was a duck confit raviolo served with white wine butter sauce with fresh oregano and a hint of citrus. It paired beautifully. You will be hard pressed to find a Chianti that will compete with this one. ~Marc Hinton