INSIDER'S PICK: 2015 TORRE A CONA CHIANTI CLASSICO FIORENTINO $16.99

We love finding great 'new' wineries from the well established and traditional wine regions of the world. Just when you think it's all been discovered and mined out to within an inch of its life, something surprising and refreshing comes along. Keeps us excited and on our toes. Sometimes the change that brings them to the forefront comes with new ownership, or a new generation of the family takes over and tries a new direction. Other times it's just fortune that strikes, and with an unpolished gem just sitting there the right people meet up to make the wines end up in our presence. In this case, this well established castle/hotel/historic grounds just outside Florence just needed a nudge from the right importer, who just happens to be based here in Virginia to our immense benefit. Lo and behold, a delicious new Chianti offering that delivers the goods for an outstanding price.

Everything about this wine is what you would draw up as the prototype for good 'everyday' Chianti without trying to build something needing cellaring. Youthful ruby in color but not dense looking in the glass, the nose is pure Tuscany with loads of savory currants and dark cherry fruit, followed by dark flowers and wild herbs. Every swirl of the glass brings out a more subtle note with a brief pop of prominence, with little bits of sage, thyme, and anise showing through. The mouthfeel is full for a Chianti of this price point, touches of cedary notes but mostly natural tannins that give the wine lots of dry texture. The lengthy finish is full of dried fruit and sandalwood, which does soften some as it opens up and brings out some more of the softer red fruits, but stays fairly stern and structured. This is a GREAT food wine for the cooler weather, usable any place you would also do a Bordeaux or a California Cab, but want to try something with an Italian flair.

---