Rating: 90

Today we have for you a tasty Italian treat. This time it is the 2007 Banfi Chianiti Classico. This wine was delightful to drink at a summer wine tasting picnic, and we highly recommend it.  I think it is one of the better Chianti's I have had.

This wine makes it onto our list because of the label art which shows Pope Pius II, who was Bishop of Sienna in the image depicted. Here he is meeting with soon to be Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III and Eleanor of Portugal.  The bishop was instrumental in arranging the marriage as an emissary for Frederick to the King of Portugal. The future pope accompanied Frederick and Eleanor to Rome where the two were wed, and Frederick was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

This Chianti was perfect for the summer afternoon that we tasted it. It was a pleasure to drink, and a pleasant surprise from many of the Chiantis that I have had in the past. This one was a beautiful, opaque, ruby red elixir that showed nice legs clinging to the sides of the glass after an initial swirl. The scent was very appealing, with earth plum notes.  The wine was quite well balanced - not thin like many Chiantis can be and not overly acidic.

The taste was delicious.  While Chiantis are made for drinking( lighter than heavy cabs), this one did it exceptionally well, providing a complexity that was well appreciated in our group.  It was still dry and simple as one might expect, but the fruit flavors with elements of plum and cherry were quite delicious. The finish was long and the fruit flavors lasted with this wine.  All in all, we were quite pleasantly surprised.  After taking notes, we enjoyed this wine with an Italian cold cut sandwiches we crafted from ingredient provided by Claro's, our local (and exceptional) Italian deli. It paired perfectly with the salami's, mortadella, hams, and the rest.

I give this one a 90 points, and I would definitely buy again.  In fact, I have another bottle ready to go.  You can pick one of these up for about $13 a bottle - well worth it.