~ Vineyards in Castellina in Chianti ~
It was winter 2016, and Andrea Cecchi and I were trekking through the blustery, snow covered, grey winter streets of downtown Manhattan on our way to meet a fellow colleague to taste through some of Andrea’s most recently released wines. We were all lauding praise on the excellent 2010 vintage and eventually the conversation turned to the recently bottled 2015 wines when Andrea said, “Giovanni, 2015 will be much better than 2010”. As I tweeted earlier last week – “This just in, 2015 is no myth”. Believe Andrea. Believe the hype. Over the past several weeks I’ve tasted many wines from the 2015 vintage, most of them “simple” Chianti Classico. Each wine possesses what I call the trifecta: freshness, complexity and structure. Look out and prepare to stock up!
~ Villa Cerna, the home to Famiglia Cecchi, lies just beyond the copse of trees at the hill top. In the foreground, Colorino and Sangiovese vines for Villa Cerna’s Chianti Classico. These vineyards also provide fruit for Famiglia Cecchi Chianti Classico ~
Famiglia. Family. Central to Italian living and so naturally, central to Tuscan Vines. Today’s article is another data point on the early 2015s which are now showing up in earnest on retailers shelves. There are many more data points coming, so we’ll have a pretty good feel for the quality of the finished wines before too long. You can see earlier coverage here (Gagliole) here (Volpaia) here (Felsina) and here (Scalette).
The 2015 Famiglia Cecchi Chianti Classico is made in the traditional style. Deep ruby in the glass, the wine is predominantly Sangiovese with a tiny percentage of both Canaiolo and Colorino. Vinified in stainless steel, the wine then sees large neutral barrel aging and up to 6 months in bottle prior to release. The 2015 evolves nicely in the glass throughout the course of dinner. Aromas of Tuscan herbs, crushed wild cherry, fresh flowers and new leather emerge from the glass. At its price point, it’s very complex. The flavors follow the nose with freshness and pick up body and roundness as the wine opens. Flavors of rosemary, white road dust, vibrant ripe cherry and leather notes permeate the palate. There’s nothing not to like here. At this price point, it’s a potential case purchase and a “Rosso della Casa” for the next 3-5 years. Wonderful value. 90 points, about $15. Find this wine.
~ We served the Cecchi with roasted chicken legs that were marinated in garlic, oil and rosemary. Wonderful compliment! ~
Salute!
