The 2017 Chianti Classico Famiglia Zingarelli is a simple and stripped-down wine that does a good job of portraying the vintage. I say this because the wine does not show the more problematic aromas of jammy fruit that I found too frequently in the lower-end wines of other fine estates in this scorching hot vintage. That problem has been expertly averted here. Instead, this Sangiovese (with 5% Merlot) offers tight cherry and plum with earth or dried terracotta. There is a sour note on the close. Production is huge at 970,000 bottles made.

A firm, lightly astringent red, featuring cherry, earth, iron and tobacco flavors. Vibrant, lingering nicely. Think pasta and tomato sauce. Drink now. 79,000 cases made, 38,000 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Chianti Classico Select to Add