What is it about chianti that makes you smile? Maybe it is the wine's association with comfort peasant food that warms the spirits during these cold winter days. Or maybe it is the simple, quaffable fruit that doesn't demand an explanation or some esoteric wine description.
Chianti can be complex, but it's the uncomplicated version that makes this region a consistent value year after year. With emerging wine-growing regions flooding the market with new labels, it is easy to forget about Italy's enduring wine.
We won't let that happen. Here are a few new releases:
Angelini San Leonino Chianti Classico 2006 ($20). Simple aromas, full-bodied with big tannins and dry cherry fruit flavors. Nice mineral note to the taste.
Angelini San Leonino Chianti Classico Riserva 2003 ($36). The extra age on this chianti gives it a lot more seasoning and depth. There are nice rustic berry flavors to this full-bodied wine with a lingering finish that begs for more.
Da Vinci Chianti 2006 ($16). This prolific wine, popular in many restaurants, continues to impress us with its fruit forward value. Lots of cherry flavors and a soft mouthfeel, thanks in part to the 10 percent merlot added to the sangiovese.
Valiano Chianti Classico Poggio Teo 2004 ($25). Sporting a very sophisticated label, this luscious single-vineyard chianti is made from hand-selected sangiovese grapes grown in ancient soil. Blackberry and raspberry fruit and good acidity.
Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2005 ($23). Simple but well-balanced, this reserve chianti has dark cherry flavors with hints of licorice and pepper.
Piccini Chianti Superiore DOCG 2006 ($13). Here's a moderately priced chianti that has good, quaffable fruit. A blend of sangiovese (80 percent), cabernet sauvignon and merlot, it is one of the few to use the superiore designation first introduced in 1996. It's a step up from the regular DOCG chianti. Ripe plum, black cherry flavors with excellent balance.
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to grow as a powerhouse producer in this country's northwest wine-growing region. Based in Woodinville, Wash., it produces consistently reliable wines at affordable prices that consumers will enjoy. No matter what the grape variety, we are impressed with the balance and overall quality of both the red and white wines. Consumers would be wise to check these out.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling 2007 ($12). Riesling established the producer's label nearly
40 years ago, so it's not surprising that the wine continues to excel today. Off-dry, it has round passion and peach fruit with a nice mineral note.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling 2007 ($14). More elegant with crisp acidity, this riesling has rich tropical fruit and peach flavors.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2004 ($18). With a hot growing season and long harvest, winemaker Bob Bertheau produced a jammy merlot that soothes the palate. Black cherry and a hint of spice.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Merlot 2005 ($38). Generous cherry fruit flavors with a touch of vanilla. Fine tannins and round fruit. About 16 percent of the wine is composed of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec.
Other wines
Matanzas Creek Bennett Valley Merlot 2005 ($36). This venerable Sonoma County producer continues to make outstanding merlot, and this one won't let you down. The aromas range from thyme to clove, and the concentrated flavors include blackberry, cherry and quince. Soft and approachable, it's a good wine for stews and wild game.
Quivira Syrah 2006 ($28). Everything we taste from this California winery seems to knock our socks off. We love the texture and the depth of fruit in this full-throttle syrah with floral, cedar notes, good substance, fine tannins and dark berry flavors.
Lassegue Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2004 ($50). A joint venture of Jess Jackson and Pierre Seillan (and their wives), this bordeaux is a blend of merlot (60 percent), cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Big cherry and cassis flavors with hints of truffles and dark chocolate. Firm tannins and excellent structure give it cellar potential.
Mirassou Winery California Pinot Grigio 2007 ($12). Mirassou is off to a good start with its first pinot grigio - refreshing citrus and peach flavors with a touch of spice and good acidity. Good value.
Bodega Septima Gran Reserva 2005 ($25). This Argentina wine is a bold blend of malbec (55 percent), cabernet sauvignon and tannat. The vineyards - high altitude in the shadows of the Andes Mountains - give a firmness to this complex, tannic wine with mocha, blackberry and strawberry flavors.
Dry Creek Vineyards Estate Fume Blanc DCV3 2006 ($25). Dry Creek has built a reputation on its excellent sauvignon blancs. Made in several versions, they are classic and consistent in varietal flavors. The DCV3 estate vineyard produces excellent fruit. Grassy and citrus aromas are followed by pineapple and mineral flavors. In contrast, the 2006 Dry Creek Taylor's Vineyard Musque sauvignon blanc ($25) sports honeysuckle, melon and spice notes because of the musque clone it uses.
Hayman & Hill Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 ($15). Drawing grapes from one of the most prime pinot noir regions in California, Hayman & Hill has a solid entry in this hot category. Classic strawberry notes with good smoke and earthy notes.
Find recommended wines:
Here are locations of wines featured in Wine Etc. The vintages listed in the wine column may not be the same at what is sold in stores. The list is subject to availability and prices listed in the column vary from store to store. Store owners can special order wines they do not carry.
| Published January 7, 2008 |
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling: Fishpaws, Harbour Spirits
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling: Harbour Spirits
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot: Harbour Spirits
Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Merlot: Harbour Spirits
Dry Creek Vineyards Estate Fume Blanc DCV3: Mills Wine & Spirits
Hayman & Hill Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Pinot Noir: Mills Wine & Spirits
| Published December 31, 2008 |
Blackstone Merlot: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Eastport Liquors, Fishpaws Marketplace, Harbour Spirits.
St. Clements Merlot: Harbour Spirits
| Published December 24, 2008 |
Fess Parker Pinot Noir: Mills Wines & Spirits; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Harbour Spirits
MacMurray Pinot Noir: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Harbour Spirits
Kuleto Cabernet Sauvignon: Eastport Liquors
Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon: Eastport Liquors; Harbour Spirits
Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon: Eastport Liquors; Harbour Spirits
Chateau St. Jean Robert Young Chardonnay: Eastport Liquors
| Published December 17, 2008 |
Henriot Brut Millesime 1998: Mills Wine & Spirits
J Cuvee 20 Brut: Eastport Liquors
Gruet Non-Vintage Brut: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Mills Wine & Spirits
Schramsberg Mirabelle: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Mumm Napa Brut Rose: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Taittinger Brut Reserve: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace; Mills Wine & Spirits; Harbour Spirits
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace
| Published December 10, 2008 |
Flora Spring Trilogy: Eastport Liquors
Gruet sparkling wine: Mills Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Nicolas Feuillatte champagne: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Mills Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace
Ployez-Jacquemart champagne: Mills Wine & Spirits
Taittinger champagne: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace; Harbour Spirits; Mills
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire: Mills Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Josephine Dubois Grand Reserve Bourgogne: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Fishpaws Marketplace; Mills Wine & Spirits
Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Mills Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors; Harbour Spirits
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Charles Creek Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Mills Wine & Spirits; Harbour Spirits
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon: Eastport Liquors; Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Mills Wine & Spirits; Harbour Spirits
| Published December 3, 2008 |
Riondo Prosecco: Mills Wine & Spirits, Eastport Liquors, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Harbour Spirits.
Villa Jolanda Prosecco: Fishpaws Marketplace
| Published November 26, 2008 |
Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Chateau Prignac Medoc: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Josephine Dubois Grand Reserve Bourgogne Rouge: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Mills Wine & Spirits
Flavium Crianza Bierzo: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Mills Wine & Spirits
Tomaiolo Chianti Reserva: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits; Eastport Liquors
Goldeneye Pinot Noir: Eastport Liquors; Mills Wines & Spirits
La Crema Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: Eastport Liquors; Mills Wine & Spirits
| Published November 19, 2008 |
Frontier Red: Eastport Liquors, Harbour Spirits
Cat Amongst the Pigeons: Harbour Spirits
Louis Latour Chardonnnay de Chardonnay: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits
Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet: Eastport Liquors
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay: Eastport Liquors
Do you have a question or suggestion for a topic? Write to the authors in care of this newspaper or e-mail tmarquardt@capitalgazette.com.
