This Sangiovese was served blind at our tasting group and it stumped us all.  Medium ruby colored with slight staining and medium viscosity.  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of dusty black cherry, purple licorice, vanilla, baking spice, strawberry pie, caramel, açaí berry and roses.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, medium body and medium (+) tannins.  Flavors of black cherry, licorice, baking spices and vanilla are prominent, the dusty note faded.  The strawberry shows up later in the game with the acai berry.  It finishes medium in length and not as tart as expected from a Chianti.  It’s a young wine whose tannins need to settle down with time or vigorous decanting.  This bottle was a brute last night but has since mellowed out very nicely.  It should drink well till 2030 and gets 91 points from me.  At $20 it’s a definite 5 star wine to load up on.  Salut….

Medium ruby colored with some slight staining and medium viscosity (14% ABV).  Aromas of cherry, tar, damp leaf and charred oak with loganberry and anise supporting.  The palate is dry with high viscosity and med (+) tannins that are a touch hard.  The enamel on my teeth is begging for mercy.  A rather full body will certainly fool the uninitiated- just because it’s not a dark and opaque red doesn’t mean it can’t have a kick.  The slightly tart red fruit is evident as is the oak and some searing tannins on the mid palate.  Young, this one needs a few years to mellow out and start tertiary development as well softening of the tannins.  It should age particularly well considering its towering structure with a drinking window of 2026-2033.  I will be generous and see into my crystal ball- 92 points for $20 this Sangiovese gets it 5 stars, just give it time.  Pasta is an obvious choice, as is grilled red meat with good marbling.  Salut….