Price $22.99, Case Price $240/$20

Giacomo Mori makes some of the most distinctive wines in Tuscany. This small estate has the distinction of being located outside of the Chianti Classico zone, which is one of the factors that

explain why the wines remain so reasonably priced. The straight Chianti is one of my favorite Tuscan wines year in- year out. “ Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media

Case worthy

As we all know, good Chianti is a great thing, and Giacomo Mori’s is one of the best…at a great price too! This tiny estate near the hamlet of Palazzone, south of the Montalcino and Montepulciano appellations in the great Chianti DOCG, was founded in the late 1700’s and is now owned by Giacomo Mori, a retired engineer who completely renovated the family property when he took over in the mid-1990s, and his niece Lydia Arcangelo. Together they lovingly and organically farm ten rolling hectares of vines perched on calcium-based sand and clay adjacent to the family cantina. They make their two wines- this lovely Chianti and a pretty classy Riserva- in a three-level cellar that’s over two hundred years old, fermenting the wine in steel and aging it only in neutral casks, puncheons and stainless steel tanks. The so-called ‘straight’ Chianti is one of the best values in Sangiovese we ever see. Blended only with a bit of local Canaiolo and Colorino, it’s a dark, fresh purple color and aromatic of black cherry, red licorice, wild fennel, lavender, woodsy spice and freshly tanned leather. Medium bodied and quite fresh on the palate, it’s a lovely, lovely version of Chianti- not exactly old fashioned but not exactly modern either. I love it. And for $20 a bottle, I love it even more. Your ravioli in sage butter will thank you!