So over the last two weeks we've been sampling Italian reds available at local supermarkets. Italian imports are popular here because of the relatively good values, and I have an upcoming event that will focus on Italy. The last time I did something similar, I bought all the wine from a local cooperative where I believed the wines were hand-chosen (and therefore recommended) by the department manager only to learn that essentially he had the distribs restock the same brands year in/out and was unaware of how poor some of them were or had become.
I didn't shop there this time nor did I seek guidance anywhere else. I just went to the market with the largest staff and inventory and took one of this, one of that, including the Gabbiano in this note. I had basically been avoiding the big brands and somehow this one slipped in. I'm so glad.
2016 Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Cavaliere d'Oro Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
This is far and away the best of the Italian reds we've tried, and we liked quite a few. Unmistakably Italian and satisfyingly evolved at six years out with warm and juicy dark red and black fruits, baking spice, raisins, salami and canned tomato notes. Medium-full body and endorphin-inducing. Drinks way, way above it's $22 price when you consider what $22 buys you among domestic wines. We opened this Thursday night I've already been back to the store to buy their remaining six bottles.
