Deep ruby with wide pink edges. Huge dirty-baby-diaper off the front, breathes out to more of an electrical-fire, pine-pitch something-or-other which I suppose could have some minerality read into it. All over a nice Dr. Pepper and black cherry fruit base.
I didn’t even notice this was a plain Chianti until I opened it. I was all, Wow: 2014. That’s awfully young for a… OMG this is a Chianti! Just a plain Chianti!. I can’t even remember the last time I had a plain Chianti. Most of my Italian comes in the form of IGT but I mix in the occasional Classico or Riserva. But Chianti?!? I decided I hated Sangiovese in the early years of my wine-experience JUST BECAUSE of Chianti. It wasn’t until I moved to the Central Coast and had a Sangiovese from Santa Barbara County that I turned my back on such a shallow decision.
With a half hour of air, this thing goes all gym socks and mildewy towels on the floor. You have to REALLY be a fan of old world funk and the various possible nuances of Sang to get behind this one. In the mouth, respectably deep fruited, alongside expectant brilliant acidity. A decent mouth-feel tapers off to battery-acid tannin.
2014 CASTELLO DI QUERCETO Sangiovese Toscana Chianti Italy 12.5
Stephen McConnell 