WTN: Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2007

Foster's Wine Estates

Bright cherry red in the glass.

Spicy nose, with a tangy bite and sweet cherry fruit.

Silky and round in the mouth, medium weight, cherry, raspberry and currants, good acidity, leather and earth, spicy, a hint of red licorice, a good clean bite.

A good spicy, drying finish.

I was quite pleased to find a decently-price Chianti for everyday drinking.

Purchased at $13.95 (Canadian).

Bruce--

I've often though not always found the Gabbianos to be good QPR. At a couple bucks cheaper, even the basic Chianti (as opposed to the Classico) can deliver, albeit it in a lighter package. Apparently both '06 and '07 may prove to be the kind of vintages in Tuscany where all boats rise with the tide.

Gabbiano is almost our house red. I thought the 06 was fuller bodied and fruitier than the 07. But I like the 07 better. Its more like a traditional chianti. Or what I consider chianti-like…which is a drier, more tannic and acidic red that’s perfect for serving with food.

Its in the $7.50-8.00 range down here. Which makes it a nice QPR purchase.

Richard

Several weeks ago I tried the Gabbiano Pinot Grigio and I recall that being a good, everyday, value drinking wine.