A combination of vanilla, tar and rose petals on the nose meets with wild herbs and fresh red fruit. Cranberries, strawberries and cherries on the palate stay in balance with more savory notes of tar and rock, pressing up against firm tannins. Palm Bay International. Best Buy. —D.C.
Best BuyA pleasant CC with fresh berries, citrus peel and a hint of walnut. Medium-bodied with a fresh, racy feel and light tannins. Drink now. -J.S.
The nose on this wine is earthy and dense with mushrooms, soil and underbrush, followed by hibiscus and cranberry tea. Cherries, strawberries and raspberries meet up with cranberries and hibiscus on the palate, with hints of vanilla, milk chocolate and finally some orange pith for astringency. Palm Bay International. Best Buy. —D.C.
Best BuyAromas of dried strawberries, orange zest, stones and licorice, followed by a medium body with firm tannins rounding off the savory berry fruit. Drink now.–J.S.
Wonderful aromas of plums, sour cherry, lavender, and sliced orange follow through to a full body with dense and firm tannins that are beautifully integrated into the wine. It’s so long and focused. Such finesse with structure. Balanced and attractive. Drinkable but better in three to four years. Try after 2023.
Very attractive currant and walnut character to the aromas here, following through to a medium body with a pretty core of fruit and cream and lightly rounded tannins. Fresh finish. Drink or hold.
Attractive black-cherry and floral aromas with hints of orange peel. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Linear and tight. Typical. Drink or hold.
PlatinumVery attractive currant and walnut character to the aromas here, following through to a medium body with a pretty core of fruit and cream and lightly rounded tannins. Fresh finish. Drink or hold.
PlatinumLight, finely chewy, tart and fresh with notes of black cherry, red licorice, bay leaf, cedar and leather.
PlatinumAttractive black-cherry and orange-peel character follows through to a medium body, light tannins and a fruity finish.
PlatinumA firm, lightly astringent red, featuring cherry, earth, iron and tobacco flavors. Vibrant, lingering nicely. Think pasta and tomato sauce. Drink now. 79,000 cases made, 38,000 cases imported. -B.S.
A dusting of bittersweet chocolate coats the black cherry and blueberry fruit in this firmly structured red. Bitter almond and earth accents chime in on the dry finish.
PlatinumCedar, dried nutmeg, sour cherries, blueberries, citrus and spices. Medium to full body and blue fruit that’s well wrapped up in firm tannins and driven acidity.
PlatinumAromas and flavors of blackberries and blueberries with hints of Chinese tea and bark. Full body, extremely flavorful and intense. Drink now or hold.
PlatinumA light-bodied, fruity style, sporting cherry, strawberry and floral notes. Firms up on the finish, yet this remains an easygoing red, with moderate length. Drink now.
PlatinumSubtle spice and black cherry aromas and flavors with dark chocolate undertones. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a bright finish. Linear brightness to this wine. Very well done for the vintage. Drink now.
PlatinumThis is starting to mellow, with plum, cherry, spice and woodsy aromas and flavors. Rich and well-balanced, with dense, integrate tannins and a fresh, long finish. Best from 2018 through 2026.
PlatinumThe 2013 Chianti Classico Famiglia Zingarelli opens to bright cherry fruit and simple berry nuances that are backed by light shadings of spice, toasted almond and licorice. It shows a velvety character and moderate density on the close.
Last year, this wine was a Riserva (now it is a Gran Selezione). The 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Riserva di Fizzano shows ample fullness and ripeness with dark cherry and spice aromas that are both compelling and generous. This wine shows a good sense of lightness and balance. It is easy to drink and approachable, but it also offers bigger structure to pair with succulent meat dishes.
PlatinumThe candied cherry, kirsch, leather and earth flavors are buoyed by vibrant acidity. Falls short of outstanding on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
Tilled soil, ripe plum, blue iris and a whiff of spice come together on the nose. The vibrant, juicy palate offers a ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
PlatinumThis offers upfront aromas of wild cherry, violet and cinnamon. The palate shows ripe red cherry, overripe strawberry and spice notes in a simple, unfettered style. This will work perfectly with pasta with meat sauces or dense tomato soups.
This rich red exudes cherry, almond and earth flavors, with a long, tobacco-tinged finish...
A classic pasta wine (probably best with fettuccine in meat sauce), this Chianti Classico offers bright acidity and a bouquet redolent of wild berries, cherries, leather and subtle spices.
Youthful and bright, this shows the lean, bright side of the Famiglia Zingarelli line. You can really taste those Sangiovese characteristics thanks to lively tones of wild berry, raspberry, blue flower, wild mushroom and subtle spice. That zesty acidity makes the wine perfect for cheesy pasta or lasagna.
The 2010 Chianti Classico is juicy, fleshy and delicious. Succulent red cherries, licorice, tobacco and leather are some of the notes that flow from this rich, deep Chianti Classico. This is a terrific effort from Rocca delle Macie, and a great value as well.
A burst of cherry and plum flavors highlights this red, whose firm structure and earth and mineral elements keep it solidly in a traditional style.
This bright, ruby and garnet-colored Chianti Classico offers integrated acidity and finely polished tannins backed by a pretty bouquet of fresh berry aromas.
This is a classic interpretation of Chianti Classico with bright aromas of small berry fruit, raspberry and blue flower. But there's also a modern touch as well that comes off aromatically as spice and new leather.
Supple and well-balanced; crowd-pleasing berry flavors.
Bright, cherry-rich... Recommended with Chicken Scarpariello.
... reveals plenty of density in its smokiness, red cherries and tobacco. All of the elements come together nicely in this mid-weight Chianti Classico. The finish is round, harmonious and inviting... Listed among Italy's Finest Values.
Ripe berry and plum aromas are followed by a medium body, with fine tannins and a fresh finish.
