previously unheard of (at least for me) producer of CCR. bought a case from sam's for $19,99/bottle, list price shows as $32 from the WS web site.

for me an excellent value, to find nice CC or CCR at less than $20. made in the new international style, with remarkable fruit forward style, easily drinkable now, but not alot of tannins to suggest long term aging. much better than my last foray into chianti, the fonterotuli.

muted red colour, with minimal legs, berry upfront with a new leather scent trailing. somewhat moderate finish, but full on the palate, no hollowness. i recommend at this price point. 88-89 points. i'll finish this tonite, it will be interesting (i retained 6 bottles) to see this progress over the next three years.

Frankie,

Is this the wine we picked up when we drove to Sams together?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; but, your timing was bad on this wine. Sams put it on sale for $17 as part of their internet sale this month. Glad you liked it though.

VM

Villa Vignamaggio is where Mona Lisa was born, and where the Kenneth Branagh/Emma Thompson/Denzel Washington/ Keanu Reeves version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was filmed. It also has rooms and apartments for rent (3 day minimum I believe) and is in a very beautiful part of Chianti called Greve, a couple of kilometers from the village, and near to Panzano and Lamole, Chianti villages at altitude. So, if you ever get there, and can swing low to mid 100 euros per night, it's well worth it.

Welcome to Massachusetts - Be Fabulous and Say "I Do"

VM:

yes, this is what i picked up at sams at roughly 20/per. hey at 17, it's really a buy!!

TuaRita: thanks for the lesson, haven't gotten to greve in chianti but 100Eur for a room isn't bad at all, especially considering what we paid in positano as well as napoli.