Oh how I've missed you

In my past life I worked for a wine distributor. There's plenty not to miss- namely participating in the evils of the three tier system, schlepping wine in the hot summer, unrealistic quotas on wines that customers don't want, and crazy bosses (and buyers). What I have missed is the variety of wines that I was able to taste- most specifically Italian wines.

I'd been craving Sangiovese and was able to fill the void with a nice little Chianti Classico on the wine list at Cecco in Solvang CA. At $10 by-the-glass and $32 by-the-bottle it looked like the perfect dinner companion.

Principe Corsini Le Corti 2007 Chianti Classico comes from Corsini's Villa Le Corti hillside vineyards in Chianti Classico; 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo from alluvial and rocky soils. Fermentation begins with selected indigenous yeasts and the wine is aged 12 months in cement tanks and large wood casks prior to bottling.


Upon opening, the wine had an aggressive earthiness and angular acidity, but there was enough fruit to suggest that the wine would come together. With a little air and the wonderful vibrant flavors of the food, the fruit really came to fore and very pleasantly rounded out the wine. It showed nice structure with balanced flavors and fine tannins. It was a very nice Chianti Classico that was well-priced and well-chosen for the list. 


I'd rate this is a solid (I like!) with extra consideration for value (retails between $15 and $20).