Dellatorri, Chianti DOCG Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2012

When I find this wine, I’ll buy it… as one would be hard pressed to find this level of intricacy and harmony in a $15 wine from anywhere in the world.  A nice whiff of oak gets this off to a great start, and shows excellent proportionality in relation to the fruit, which is faintly sweet but equally savory.  The tannins are extremely fine in grain — almost dusty — and the overall impression left by the wine is one of great class.  This will prove exceptionally versatile, as it won’t overpower fish dishes but would surely hold its own with antipasti or any lighter meat dish or pasta preparation.  Platinum Award winner at the 2016 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge.