Tasting - Chianti by Dellatorri

Name: Chianti by Dellatorri
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Chianti region of Tuskany
Country: Italy
Price: $14

Wine Critic: “Carries aroma of cherries. Medium red color. Flavors include cherry and cranberry. It has a slight earthy aftertaste.” - W.H. (4/7/2022)

Wine Folly: From "Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide" by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack, it is noted on page 376 that Sangiovese (san·jow·vay·zuh) grapes are very acidic. This wine variety will pair well with spicy foods and has a sweet oregano aroma. Sangiovese goes great with pastas as the flavor does not get lost in the pasta sauce.

My Thoughts: My first impressions were a little disappointing. It seems average at best. The flavor is a bit flat and one dimensional. I cannot taste many flavors; it seems very one dimensional. I can hardly smell any aromas; I only get ethanol and a very faint amount of cherry. Tannins are very smooth. Noticable meniscus. For a bottle advertised as full body and intended for heavy meals like pasta, it does not live up to the expectations. If I were to describe this wine in one phrase it would be “watered down.” The only part that does not feel watered down is the high acidity. I cannot complain too much as it is a bottom shelf wine.

Pairing with this Italian wine, I made shrimp and scallop pasta. The wine is barely sippable alone but it is a little better with a meal. The acidity is nice with the pasta. However, I think I will pair my seafood pasta with pinot grigio next time. I will try and cook with this bottle instead.

I give this bottle 68/100.