Recommendation: An OUTSTANDING Chianti at a bargain price.
Winery/Producer: Fabio Montomoli; Fattoria Castellina.
Grape Variety: Sangiovese.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Chianti Montalbano, Italy.
Vintage: 2011
Price: $14.40 
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Paired With: Eggplant Parmesan and Cesar salad.
Tasting:
He said: Opened 20 minutes before drinking. Crystal clear, but very dense, dark purple-red color (unusual for a Chianti). Absolutely wonderful strong damp earth aromas (that had floral hints by the last sips). Much more mouth feel than other Chianti. Lots of dry fruit in the taste that carries through with a quite long dry finish. A little sediment in the last two pours. This is a WOW, WOW, WOW wine!!! It’s a VERY SPECIAL intense Chianti. I’m slow to get excited; but I’m jumping-up-and-down excited about this Chianti. It was perfect with the tomato sauce on the eggplant Parmesan and scrumptious drinking after the meal. This had outstanding aromas, VERY smooth dry fruit flavors in the taste (that became more pronounced over time) and a fruit flavorful, dry finish. This is one fine Chianti at this price. And, it gets our quality wine at a bargain price rating…in spades!!!
Anybody in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area better rush because I’m going to be at The Caviste Wine Shop in the morning when they open to buy what ever is on the shelf!!!
She said: We are picky about our Chianti and this one was a hit. With its very deep red color and earth aromas it was a winner right from the beginning. The earthy tones continued right through the clean finish. Dry, smooth and with medium body it was a great fit with the tomato sauce in the eggplant dish. We have paid much more for Chianti’s that are not so satisfying and I recommend this one, without reservations, as a quality wine at a bargain price. We both loved it!!!
Comments: On October 9, 2014 we had a second bottle of this wonderful Chianti with chicken cacciatore and it was every bit as good as the first pairing…it’s a GREAT bottle of Chianti
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bar code: 8 58162 00479 0
Imported by: Piedmont Wine Imports; Durham, North Carolina.