Where's the good, cheap Sangio?

[Kris_Patten]

We sell it, but for the same price range as the Da Vinci recommendation you can get a family owned Chianti Classico from Fattoria Petroio.

Agree with all above that Felsina really is a cut above.

[Gary_York]

Good, cheap Sangiovese? At the risk of excommunication, I am going to suggest a test drive of Da Vinci “regular” Chianti. I have not had it in several years but it used to be a good, cheap Sangiovese. FWIW.

Ban or off with his head? Or both?

[Gary_York]

Home

http://www.buondonno.com/en/index.php

The above link is not working.

[Chris_V]

For a while my favorites were Casa Emma, Villa Cafaggio or Coltibuono, but each seem harder to find in my market so I’m similarly looking for replacements. For Chianti I’ll typically look for a traditional blend. Either entirely Sangio or splashes of colorino or caniolo, no internaltional varieties. I also prefer aging in older slavonian oak, and alcohol in the 13% - 14% range. Prices are now too high here for others mentioned: Fontodi, Felsina, Isole e Olena, Monsanto. Each are $35 - $40 CAD, whereas I’m ideally looking under $25 CAD.

I am starting to look to Rosso di Montalcino as well. The best ones I’ve found don’t quite have the earthy, herbal, leathery notes I like in Chianti, but bring a nice red fruited freshness. For me I’l Poggione’s Rosso falls in this category.

[SimonC]

My go to, dirt cheap sangioveses are San Felice Chianti Classico (also mentioned earlier) and Felsina Chianti Colli Senesi (my favourite of the two, with a lot more earthy notes than the San Felice).

[Michae1_P0wers]

Argiano’s might be in that price range too down there and is usually good quality. Maybe Querecchio’s regular Brunello if you can get it? It has been historically priced in the C$35 range up here and has been good value for me.

How about some Morello di Scansano (e.g. Moris)? Thoughts?

Pupille’s Morellino is also decent at about $15, the Riserva is much better but over $20. Tassi RdM is good. Castell ‘in Villa CC is good as well.

[Jim_Stewart]

Good, cheap Sangiovese? At the risk of excommunication, I am going to suggest a test drive of Da Vinci “regular” Chianti. I have not had it in several years but it used to be a good, cheap Sangiovese. FWIW.

Ban or off with his head? Or both?

Gary, In a plea for mercy or at least for a suspended sentence, I testify that I highly endorse two of your URL referenced recommendations. Castello La Leccia: We enjoyed their 2013 and 2014 Chianti Classico at two separate lunches in their courtyard under the trees. We stayed nearby at a very modest agriturismo and walked there on a steep “white road”. Buondonno: We had the pleasure of meeting Gabriel and chatting with him at a tasting in Castellina in Chianti. We took another hike to his property to get a bottle of his “Lemme Lemme” to bring back with us. I am going to further plead what is known as the “Uncle Leo” defense for my suggesting the DaVinci in the first place. -Jim

[Mattstolz]

anything from Felsina I love. I actually enjoyed the Costco Toscana quite a bit as well, but it has some cab in it. depends what you consider cheap but il poggione Rosso is a solid wine as well.

[Mike_Evans]

Argiano’s might be in that price range too down there and is usually good quality. Maybe Querecchio’s regular Brunello if you can get it? It has been historically priced in the C$35 range up here and has been good value for me.

How about some Morello di Scansano (e.g. Moris)? Thoughts?

Great minds think alike, I haven’t seen Moris Farms in a long time but it used to be a go-to, along with Dei and Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

[Arv_R]

@John_Kight

The Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva is good and is only about $19. Also Castello d’Albola is solid (maybe not as good as the others above, depending on vintage) and almost always available at Costco for about $13.

I was making spaghetti and meatballs for Sunday dinner yesterday, and needed a glass of vinuous sustain, so pulled a half bottle of the 2016 Nozzole ‘Riserva’ [CCR] to pop and pour. 13.5% abv, with an herbal, cab franc kind of tone to the nose. Medium body, tobacco on the palate, and overall a little underwhelming given the widespread critical praise (and commensurate distribution). A last glass didn’t improve on the 2nd day, and I’d give this commercial effort a B grade. No sediment in the heavy modern bottle. I seem to remember the 2010 being similar in profile, the last vintage I bought this. These are ok to enjoy when traveling, or BTG/restaurants etc., but other than its being bottled in halves, I’d rather save my rackspace.

[dcornutt]

I don’t know about cheap but Isole E Olena Chianti is one of the best to me. I am a huge fan of Cepparello. I think it is at the very top end of enjoyment for Sangiovese. The Chianti is right up there. FWIW.

[Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w]

Hopefully things don’t change there with the new owner.

[DougS]

Nice thread revival. This is always a topic of interest for me. Lately my favorite really inexpensive one has been Federico Bonfio ‘Le Portine’ Sangiovese Toscana, but I like some of the other suggestions here and will revisit a few.