| We have reviewed many Italian wines and at | | | | New World in style. Enjoy with spaghetti and |
| least two Chiantis, one running about $20 and | | | | meatballs. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2008) And now |
| another at half the price. As you may know, | | | | for my review. |
| Chianti has evolved over the years and what was | | | | The first sips indicated quite a bit of fruit. There |
| once considered a mere table wine now shares | | | | didn't seem to be any tannins. The initial food |
| Italy's top wine designation with both great and | | | | pairing involved an overcooked commercial |
| not so great wines. This Chianti has broken with | | | | barbecued chicken breast, a tomato and garlic |
| tradition; it is made from organic grapes and is not | | | | salsa, and potatoes roasted in chicken fat. In the |
| aged in barrels. Furthermore, it is Certified Organic | | | | presence of the meat the wine was a bit thin but |
| by the Italian agency ICEA, Instituto Certificazione | | | | spicy. With the salad the wine's fruit started to |
| Etica e Ambientale (Institute for Ethical and | | | | come out. In the presence of the potatoes the |
| Environmental Certification). | | | | wine's acidity had a tinge of harshness but I did |
| The producer La Castellaccia is located in Tuscany | | | | taste some black cherry. |
| halfway between Florence and Sienna. They use | | | | The second pairing involved slow-cooked beef ribs |
| organic fertilizer and the grapes are hand picked. | | | | with sliced potatoes. The Chianti was harsh and |
| You can check their website for more information | | | | not at all round. There was some tobacco but |
| on their production process. Interestingly enough | | | | also an aftertaste. I swirled the wine vigorously to |
| these people also run a stud farm for a horse | | | | get rid of the aftertaste but then the Chianti |
| breed that originated in Turkmenistan. | | | | became thin. When I added some jalapeno sauce |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY | | | | to the meat the wine actually improved, showing |
| All wines that we taste and review are purchased | | | | more fruit. |
| at the full retail price. | | | | The final meal centered around a Middle-Eastern |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | specialty kube, also called kibbeh, ground beef in |
| La Castellaccia Chianti Colli Senesi 2007 13.7% | | | | crushed bulghar jackets with an acidic broth |
| alcohol about $15.50 | | | | containing Swiss chard. I tasted some tobacco |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | and the wine was fairly round, but thin. |
| Description: Our Quality Assurance Laboratory has | | | | Maybe the best part was the cheese pairings. |
| determined this wine contains 25 mg/L of free | | | | When tasted with a yellow cheddar, the Chianti |
| sulphur. Tasting Note: Generous and finely made | | | | was round and fruity. The tannins weren't present. |
| using traditional Chianti grapes of Sangiovese, | | | | With a Swiss emmenthaler the wine picked up a |
| Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo, from the Siena hills, this | | | | bit. |
| Chianti breaks with tradition by using no oak | | | | Final verdict. I would not buy this wine again. |
| ageing. There are intense aromas of blackberry, | | | | Except for the cheese, the pairings weren't up to |
| blueberry and spice. Dry, excellent fruit core with | | | | snuff. The bargain Chianti was better, independent |
| an equally impressive freshness for balance. | | | | of the price. Maybe I miss the oak. |
| Full-bodied with a long fruit-forward finish. Almost | | | | |