Chianti is not the first wine you’d think of when you think of Thanksgiving, but perhaps it should be.  While it’s better known for it’s pairing with pasta, Chianti has great flavors of cherries, earthiness, and touches of floral notes.  With a body that is typically more moderate, it has good acidity and plenty of flavors that compliment food.  With all that in mind, it hits that mould for a good wine at Thanksgiving.  Ruffino Chianti Superiore 2012 has plenty of promise, and good pedigree, but is it good enough to serve with the bird?

Sight:  Ruby red at the core with a hint of browning before a watery edge

Smell:  Delightfully, it starts with black pepper and ripe cherries on the nose. Touches of red currant, tobacco, and chocolaty espresso compliment the fruit, giving a slightly chocolate cherry like aroma with a side of coffee.  The play of the earth and fruit is well done.

Sip:  Light- Moderate bodied with a huge amount of brightness off the bat.  Bright bing cherries mix with currants and pulls in a touch of the smoky notes from the coffee.   Hints of roasted tomato peak around the edges.

Savor:  The cherries come through again with a huge pick up from the tobacco and smoke notes.  The ending is very earthy, and grows increasingly so over time, with moderate tannins adding structure.

Ruffino Chianti Superiore 2012 is packed with earthy notes balanced with fruits.  The acidity of the wine is a perfect compliment for food, and balance of cherry and oak are a good match up for a variety of different possible dishes, from pasta to red meat to cheeses.  While not the most obvious choice for Thanksgiving, Ruffino Chianti Superiore 2012 would be a fantastic addition to the table thanks to the brightness,  low alcohol, and balance of earth and fruit.

Verdict:  Cherry, Oak, Balanced, Bright
Price: $10
Tuscany, Italy DOCG
Pick Up A Bottle of Ruffino Chianti Superiore 2012 from Wine Library Here