What more can one want from a $24 Italian red? This one has it all. Maybe it doesn’t say Brunello anywhere on the label. Thanks to being a 2015 however, it sure drinks like one. At a small fraction of the cost. Dollar for dollar, we all win.

Though they obviously missed out on the deliciousness of the Fanatico Riserva, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate recently brought up the potential here to the limelight: “Villa Trasqua is another discovery from Castellina in Chianti that in fact enjoys a surprisingly long history. In fact, winemaking at this site can be documented to the year 1,000. That’s quite a legacy.”

Indeed. And it’s evidently here in this bottle, within every drop.

So much to love here, starting with the looks. A deep crimson resonates a bright ruby too, with a wider commencement to an orange edge. The nose is ripe and inviting, with dusty fresh-picked red cherries in cocoa powder and juicy red plums. The touch of oak comes forth in the midpalate just past the rush of the crisp red berries defining the mouthfeel with sneaky fine tannins building to an iron-clad finish that turns the playful approachability to serious age-worthiness. Should you open this soon, make sure to serve with plenty of protein, or a slow-simmered tomato-based pasta dish. It will elevate your night.

Aha! – we said when some sleuthing revealed that the man behind the quality here is none other than Franco Bernabei of Banfi, Selvapiana, Felsina, and Fontodi fame, the legendary man credited for the creation of many a mythical Tuscan classic such as Flacianello, one of Italy’s most influential and sought-after consulting winemakers.

How about we wrap it all up with Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “In 2015, the warm growing season yielded rich, sumptuous Chianti Classicos with great depth and intensity… the most obvious trend that is unfolding in Chianti Classico is a decisive move towards making wines of greater finesse and precision… I could not help but notice how many top estates remain under the radar relative to the quality of their wines. Moreover, prices for most wines remain exceedingly fair. I hope readers will find an opportunity to explore Chianti Classico beyond the tried and true names…”

This one is for you Antonio, now ready, set, go Fanatico!

98 Points – Luca Maroni

“This is in the red-fruit spectrum with notes of red plums, cedar and redcurrants. The palate is really quite sophisticated with layers of fruit welded together by fresh acidity.”