The 2012 Sangiovese Rosato opens with a light raspberry color and easy aromas of citrus, white peach and forest berry. Pair this simple wine with steamed mussels or fried calamari. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2014. Founded in 1256, Castello di Meleto is another enchanted castle set against a fairytale Tuscan background of billowing clouds, vineyard rows and cypress trees. There are luxury accommodations and the site is often booked for events and weddings. Of the estate’s 1,000 hectares, 180 are planted to grapes including Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s among the most beautiful properties in Gaiole in Chianti. Importer: Vias Imports; www.viaswine.com

The 2006 Rainero is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged entirely in French oak. It is a dark, sumptuous wine that impresses for the seamlessness of its fruit and its superb overall balance. Dark plums, cherries, smoke, underbrush and herbs are all woven together in a powerful fabric loaded with personality. All the Rainero needs is another few years in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Castello di Meleto excels with rich, fruit-driven Chiantis. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The 2005 Rainero is equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet that spent 14 months in 300-liter French oak barrels. A soft, inviting red, the Rainero reveals plenty of dark fruit in a caressing, harmonious style. In this vintage the Rainero lacks a touch of delineation but it is nevertheless quite pretty not to mention beautifully-balanced. Suggestions of spices and flowers add complexity on the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The estate’s 2004 Rainero is equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 14 months in new French oak. Nothing in particular stands out here, this is just one of those rare wines of outstanding balance and harmony where everything is in the right place. Medium in body, the wine offers a core of dark fruit beautifully framed by finessed, ripe tannins and beautifully-integrated oak. It is another outstanding effort from Castello di Meleto. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. This year I was particularly impressed with the top bottlings at Castello di Meleto, a medium-sized property located in Gaiole. Oenologists Federico Cerelli and Stefano Chioccioli have turned out two gems from the outstanding 2004 vintage in their Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Casi and Rainero. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The 2003 Rainero delivers much pleasure in its plummy spiced fruit and open, accessible personality, showing terrific energy on the palate. This stylish, deeply-flavored blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot spent 14 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200