The 2007 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva (now that’s a mouthfull!), came in at #1 on Wine Enthusiast’s Wine of the Year list, and #65 on the same list for Wine Spectator.  Would you believe it only costs $17.95?

Those are pretty impressive credentials for any wine, let alone one that costs less than $20.  Think of it this way: four glasses of this chianti cost less than four Starbucks carmel macchiatos!  Tastes better too, and I would much rather have a case of this in my cellar than 12 cups of soy latte.

Chianti lovers will not find a better value for under $20.  Plain and simple.  Despite it’s origins in the cooler Rufina region of Tuscany, this Chianti is ripe, though it maintains the telltale Sangiovese acidity and minerality.  Though a little tight on day one, by day two it had opened up into a beautiful rich wine with dense chocolate flavors complemented by bright cherry tones.

Nothing more needs to be said about this incredible value.  It’s a Chianti, so naturally it will last for quite a few years, making a strong arguement for picking up a case.  At least.

Buy Here: 2007 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva $17.95

Wine Enthusiast Top 100 #1 (93 points)

“From Frescobaldi’s gorgeous Nipozzano estate, this Riserva Sangiovese (with small percentages of Malvasia Nera, Cabernet and Merlot for extra density and intensity) opens with impressive generosity and personality. It offers lingering flavors of cherry, chocolate and dark spice. ”

Wine Spectator Top 100 #65 (91 points)

“A burly Rufina, offering dried dark fruits and chewy tannins, with an aftertaste of dark chocolate and mineral. Full and satisfying, with fresh acidity on the back palate. A go-to Chianti. Drink now. 121,000 cases made”

International Wine Cellar 91 points

“($22; 90% sangiovese, the rest colorino, malvasia nera, cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Deep violet-ruby. Fresh, fruity aromas of red cherry, blueberry and blackberry, with hints of underbrush and minerals; much less spicy, tarry and dark than some other recent vintages of this wine. Then bright and fresh in the mouth, with red cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Finishes smoothly tannic, polite and persistent. One of the better young Nipozzano vintages I recall: this really does remind you of the higher-altitude, cooler Rufina zone.” (IWC)

I usually avoid under $5 wine and here’s why: it’s almost impossible to grow, pick, ferment, age, bottle, cork, label, transport, market and sell wine for that price and still have a product that tastes good.  After tasting the Straccali 2009 Chianti, L.A. Wine Co. was ready to sell it for $7.99, and at that price I could call it a killer value with a clear conscience.  But an opportunity for a volume buy came along and now it’s available for half that price.

This Chianti compares favorably to the 2006 Monte Antico Rosso, which received 90 points from Wine Spectator and was featured on their top 100 list in 2009.  That wine sold for a still exceptionally reasonable $7.99.  The Straccali is bright, balanced and has the good acidity you expect from a nice Chianti.  Most importantly, there are absolutely no off-putting flavors, but instead some very endearing qualities – very high praise for a $4 wine.  Honestly, the only fault I can find is the cheesy label which kind of makes it look like grocery store jugged Chianti.  Luckily I don’t drink the label.

I drank this tonight with Penne Arrabiata and spicy chicken sausage – a perfect compliment to the wine.  It would also go great with pizza or even with nothing at all.  A case of this wine is $48.  Almost makes it hard to enjoy some of the $48 bottles in my cellar…

Buy Here: 2009 Straccali Chianti $3.99

Super Tuscan wines carry notoriously high prices, especially highly rated versions like the 2007 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni.  So when a 93 pointer comes around for under $20 I have to try it!

I’m really glad I did because this is something special.  The first thing to understand about this wine is that it’s built for aging.  It’s very dense, especially for an Italian wine, and the color is a beautiful dark ruby/black.  I opened this mid week and although enjoyable, it was tight and somewhat closed.  So I pumped it out and let it sit for 3 days.  And what a change 3 days can make!  The wine had opened up with incredible aromas of coffee, cherry and oak.  In the mouth it’s particularly chocolaty for a Super Tuscan- it could almost pass for a new world Bordeaux blend.  On the finish, its Tuscan roots come through though, as it’s dry long and mineral.

I love this style because it combines the dark fruit of new world California with the focus and sophistication of old world Italy.  It’s incredibly rare to find a highly rated, age-worthy Super Tuscan blend for under $50 let alone $20.  Buy it up before it’s gone and be sure to lay some back.  Wine Spectator publishes notoriously conservative drinking windows and they recommend holding until after 2013.  I would guess this will still be drinking great in 15 or even 20 years.

Wine Spectator 93 points

“Intense aromas of currant, raisin and licorice, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a powerful currant, blackberry and mineral aftertaste. Dense, and all in reserve. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. Best after 2013. 9,200 cases made.” (WS)

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2007- $19.95

Another day, another wine under $10!  I’ve really been into the Tuscan blends lately because they offer a nice contrast from the big Napa Cabernets.  This particular wine is medium bodied and has a nice raspberry nose that’s not typical of Tuscan wine.

I’m a big fan of the 2006 Monte Antico Rosso, but this wine has something different.  Whereas the Monte Antico is very dry and slightly tart, this wine is soft, fruity and smooth.  Although there is a hint of oak, the focus for the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Toscana Rosso is really on the fruit.

The Italians are big on classifications and the IGT or Indicazione Geografica Tipica classification denotes wine from a specific location (in this case, Toscana or Tuscany), and is a step up from typical Italian table wine or Vino da Tavola.  According to the winery, this wine is meant to be a daily drinker and for immediate consumption rather than aging.  To that I say “perfetto”!

Today’s wine is available elsewhere for around $12 but just for good measure, LA Wine Co. has broken the $10 mark at $9.95.

If you are looking for a “Super Tuscan” at a super price, try the 2007 Banfi Centine. It is widely available in the $9-11 range and right now, Argonaut Wines has it for $7.99.  At that price, it doesn’t have to be great, but it is!  I have had this particular Banfi for several years but this was my first try of the 2007. My experience is that you have to spend thirty to fifty bucks for a good super Tuscan (with the exception of the 2006 Monte Antico Rosso reviewed a couple of weeks ago). There just aren’t many full bodied Super Tuscan offerings for $10-20. At that price they tend to be thin and weak.

The 2006 Monte Antico Super Tuscan made a big splash on the Wine Spectator top 100 list and can still be found for about the same price as the Banfi. The Banfi and the Monte Antico are very similar, although the slightly higher alcohol in the Banfi is evident, especially right after opening. Consider letting it breath awhile. For a daily drinker or with pizza or pasta, the 2007 Banfi Centine is a good bet at a good price.  Rotate between this and the Monte Antico and you will be good to go.

Wine Spectator 87 Points

A fruity young red, with crushed berry and mineral character on a soft, silky medium-to-full body, with plump fruit and a clean finish. Always good value. Drink now.

October 31, 2008.

2007 Castello Banfi Centine- Argonaut Wines $7.99

One of my favorite daily drinkers is Monte Antico 2006.  As you can see from the picture of tonight’s dinner, it’s great with pizza, but it really shows much better than your average Tuscan pizza wine.  At 85% Sangiovese (with the rest Cabernet and Merlot), it’s very dry but has nice fruit once it opens up.

One of my favorite wine retailers, LA Wine Company, is currently selling this great wine value- which ranked #61 on the 2009 Wine Spectator Top 100- for only $8.99.  At that price, I would (or should I say did), pick up a case or two.  This is a very solid wine value.

2009 Wine Spectator Top 100: #61

“Bright plum, dried cherry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. Drink now.” (WS)

Monte Antico Rossa 2006- LA Wine Company only $8.99