Not everything in Chianti is cheap. In fact, the most expensive wines in Chianti aren’t even Chianti at all!
Super Tuscans
Following the collapse of Chianti’s quality in the 70’s, growers in Tuscany started to pivot to get into a better position. It started with a little wine called Sassicais, but as the wine grew from awkward to impressive, it got the attention of a centuries old Tuscany winemaking family, with lead to the first non-Chianti in Chianti. This bottle was different. Where Chianti could contain white grapes, this was made with almost exclusively Sangiovese (over time Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet France would disrupt the ‘exclusively’ portion of the statement) and aged in new French oak.
Due to the flaunting of Italian Government regulations, this meant the wine couldn’t be called Chianti. Instead, it had to be referred to as table wine, but with the cunning of the media, picked up the name ‘Super Tuscans’
Where Chianti is lean, sleek, and herbal, Super Tuscans tend to be anything but. Loaded with powerful fruit, well structured, and wrapped in the smooth vanilla of French oak, these wines are a force to be reckoned with. Just don’t expect them to come cheap, with bottles regularly hanging out around $100.
Badia di Morrona Rosso Dei Poggi 2013
Badia di Morrona is a not a classic or labeled as a “Super Tuscan”, but at the lower price point, it offers a chance to a Sangiovese blend. Can Badia di Morrona Rosso Dei Poggi show off what wines that aren’t Chianti are capable of?
Sight: A moderate ruby color with a lighter tint to the edge.
Smell: There’s rustic note to it adding hints of minerals and earth. Bright red fruit predominates with red plums and hints of cranberry running throughout. There’s a little bit of an earthy funk here too.
Sip: Simple, bright, and light-moderate weight. Spicing is present throughout, and the notes of cranberry, currant, and cherry run the length of the wine. Touches of earth are in the background.
Savor: The ending has a good amount of dark cherry and red plum. The finish lingers with some length and a bit of earthiness.
Badia di Morrona Rosso Dei Poggi is simple, straightforward, and very red. The earthiness seems on par for many Chiantis, and there’s a nice refinement of the structure. While some of the earthiness is on the funkier end, it isn’t overbearing. That said, Badia di Morrona Rosso Dei Poggi is a straightforward, simple, and tasty with plenty of red fruit.
Verdict: Cranberry, Currant, Cherry, Bright
Rating: 76
Price: $10
Tuscany, Italy
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