Castello di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi 2004
This is one of those wines that likely gets killed in the sterile sanctum of a big wine magazine tasting room — tasted all alone, without food. Because in fact it is mediocre at best when imbibed solo. However, ten-dollar Chianti is not meant to be a wine to be contemplated by the fire. Rather, Chianti — and specifically low-priced Chianti — is supposed to be a daily drinker at the dinner table. And this wine passes the table test with flying colors.
Mild black fruit, pepper, and unidentified herb aromas barely beget interest, but the sour red and black cherry flavors on the palate are an ideal match for marinara sauce. Acidity is appropriately high: tart and drying to the hungry palate, but a perfect partner to a mouth filled with food. A clean and easy quaffer, and versatile enough for a variety of victuals. As mentioned previously, don’t drink it by itself. But do partake it on the table, with spaghetti, chicken parm, meatballs, eggplant, or anything else drowned in marinara or other red sauce. Will be equally interesting paired with high-acid or fatty dishes, so try it with tomato-based preparations (chicken cacciatore?), fatty foods, and anything dominated by cheese (mac and cheese, hunks of parm-reggiano, grilled cheese and tomato).
a-7 t-7 b-7 fc-9 v-9 ~ 89 Points
Importer: Neil Empson
Find this wine at a retailer near you through WineZap
