2019 Tenute del Neccio Super Tuscan

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  I admit, as a Bears fan I usually lose interest in football about week 3 of the season, so tonight I am just enjoying a nice quiet dinner and watching a movie.  Yes, that may be lame, but so am I!  So, what's on the menu tonight?  I am having some nice comfort food that reminds me of my childhood, and for no particular reason, I opened up a bottle of 2019 Tenute del Neccio Super Tuscan that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  Unlike many Super Tuscans that rely on blending Bordeaux varietals, this wine relies more on the traditional Tuscan varietals, Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera and Ciliegiolo.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter color in the glass, reflecting the heavier reliance on Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of cherry and plum, intermingled with earthy notes of tar and green cedar.  The first sip a surprising rush of ripe red berries that at first exhibit a hint of sweetness before turning tart.  The earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone come out midpalate before easing into a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking Tuscan wine and a good value under $13.  This wine would pair with a variety of casual dishes (perhaps like you're enjoying at the big game!) from burgers and brats, to pizza and barbecued ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some stuffed cabbage, topped with fire roasted tomatoes and melted mozzarella and provolone.  Cheers!

2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti

Well it's Sunday and I am ready to turn my attention to cooking and sipping a nice glass of wine.  As I've had in mind what I am making for dinner, since it has an Italian flair, I thought it appropriate to open a nice bottle of Chianti.  Tonight, I've selected a bottle of 2019 Famiglia Castellani Chianti that I recently picked up from Wines Till Sold Out and their case sale, so you know it was a good value.  This wine is made to the more historical blending standards for Chianti, including the addition of some white grapes, and is a blend of Sangiovese (85%), Canaiolo (10%) and Ciliegiolo (5%).  So, let's see how this classic from Tuscany is tasting!

The wine is a lighter ruby color in the glass with great clarity, as you might expect from a Sangiovese heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, light floral notes of violet, tar and a bit of sweet cherry.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that eases a bit as it transitions to some notes of dried herbs and earthy peat midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are still a bit tightly wound, providing for a rather brief dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant example of a nice, easy drinking Chianti, which was also a solid value at just $12.50!  This wine would pair well with a wide range of Italian dishes, from hearty pasta and risotto to baked Branzino.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some Italian herb crusted chicken breast along with some fusilli primavera.  Cheers!