Castello Monsanto Chianti Classico 2007
$37, Cork, 13.5%
Source: Retail
www.castellodimonsanto.it

I can’t but think about Hunter Shiraz when getting stuck into Chianti, with both sharing a similar leathery, medium bodied, utterly savoury profile which I rather like (and makes for good food wine to boot). This particular example comes courtesy of Anthony at Boccaccio/Mondo Imports

Red maroon in the glass, the nose here is quite classical Chianti – leafy, faintly oxidative and earthen with semi sweet redcurrant fruit and a sniff of coffee oak.. Palate too is both sweet and savoury, with leathery, sinewy red fruits and some most pleasing tannins. In fact, I think it’s the finish I like most about this style – dry, unforced and replete with proper fruit tannin, without ever feeling dessicated or less than generous.

A lovely, savoury, more-ish red, I found myself unconsciously drinking this (and a rough headcount proved it to be more than popular with a gaggle of youngish telemarketers too). Good stuff. 17.5/91