The Poggio Scalette 2018 Chianti Classico is a classic expression from the Greve in Chianti subzone of the appellation with a touch of wild bramble that comes in with the breezes that blow over these wooded hills. This pretty wine opens to sweet blueberries and blackberries with some rose, earth and crushed stone. This is a linear and tight Chianti Classico that is offered at a great price.

The Podere Poggio Scalette 2017 Chianti Classico opens to heightened intensity and extraction that is characteristic of this hot vintage. The fruit has gained in color darkness and flavor intensity thanks to the summer heat that reduced the size of the berries, thus increasing that deep, inner intensity. However, those Sangiovese-driven flavors of crunchy cherry and wild berry also come through as does the wine's fresh acidity and tannic backbone.

The 2013 Chianti Classico is a delicious wine with a very clean entry to the palate. The wine makes its mark thanks to shapely aromas of dark fruit, dried cherry and plum. The quality of the fruit is evident in the classic 2013 vintage. Clean acidity and bright berry flavors move towards the palate where they are both refreshing and invigorating. This is a great wine to pair with grilled meat or flatbread with smoked bacon or sausage.

The 2010 Chianti Classico (Sangiovese) is layered with dark fruit, spices, licorice, grilled herbs and new leather, all supported by firm tannins. Dark red cherries and flowers reappear on the attractive finish. This is a lovely effort. In 2010, the Chianti Classico comes across as a baby Poggio Scalette. Not bad, to say the least. Readers on a budget should not miss this striking Chianti Classico. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. The Poggio Scalette wines aren't always easy to find, but they are well worth the effort. This is another strong set of new releases from father and son team Vittorio and Jurij Fiore. In particular, I was impressed with the Chianti Classico, which shows tons of character and personality at a very fair price. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620