Villa Antinori, Toscana Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2008

 Villa Antinori was the label Antinori used previously (since 1928) for a serious, upscale Chianti meant to develop with bottle age.  In 2001 he changed the label to an IGT Toscana because it gave him more flexibility.  Who better than Antinori to come up with an intriguing and balanced blend.  He’s been experimenting with non-traditional blends for decades.  It was he who pioneered the then outrageous idea of blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese in Tuscany and eliminating the white grapes from the Chianti blend.  With a blend of Sangiovese (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (15%) and Syrah, the Villa Antinori Rosso is like Chianti on steroids–in a good way.  No one variety sticks out.  They come together to give this robust wine power (and only 13.5% stated alcohol) and polish, which means it’s lovely to drink now, without further bottle aging.  It would go well with a hearty pasta dish or short ribs.