From the Chianti Colli Senesi region, this red Italian wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Glycerine dominates, with dusty raspberries, earth, ripe cherries, balsamic, and an herbal finish. MORE >>

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Gabbiano DOCG 2009 90% Sangiovese, 10% other red grapes from the area, 3 months of aging in stainless steel vats, a bouquet of super ripe cherries, red fruits, cocoa, and sage with an herbal infused honey. Violet, ripe cherries, coffee, cocoa, mint with floral finish. MORE >>

The first 4 pairings with various Salumi: Ruffino Chianti Superiore DOCG 2008 From the Poggio Casciano Estate vineyards in Chianti, using choice grapes during the harvest, as per the Superiore and Chianti Classico production standards, and aged for seven months in stainless steel tanks and two additional months in bottle. MORE >>

Instead I opened a young Sangiovese, the 2008 Montesecondo Rosso Toscana IGT , $18, Louis/Dressner Selections. I've been enjoying Sangiovese lately, and on paper this should have been a great wine - great importer, careful vineyard and cellar work, etc. The first opportunity involved radishes. But a white wine," I thought."with MORE >>

The Reserve Chardonnay 2008 had excellent concentration of fruit and ripe, succulent flavors, while the 2008 Chardonnay had New World Finesse and good structural integration. As a Californian, I was incredibly loyal to my native state and spent many long, sun-soaked weekends checking out all the new wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. MORE >>