A small family winery up in Murphy's, California, Chiarella has a very classy but small tasting room right on Main Street. We visited this cute little place over Memorial Day weekend with friends John and Susan Worley, and both of us walked out with a bottle of the 2009 Sangiovese from Calaveras County.
My friend Holly and I enjoyed this wine last night before the Greg Kihn/Pat Benetar/Steve Miller Band concert at Shoreline, and it was an awesome first act.
Very light yet complex, this wine has a good blend of tannin, fruit, and oak. I would give it an 82. It has a wonderful nose and does have complexity, but is a bit thin and lacks a strong color or body.
Food Pairing: This is a great wine for a nice Mushroom Lasagna in a cream sauce, any appetizers,
old fashioned Midwestern tuna casseroles, chicken breasts sauteed in white wine and butter, and spinach salads with little mandarin oranges.
Other Pairings: This made a great pre-concert wine! I also recommend it for post gardening days ( too much sun, need something light), parties where only appetizers are served so the hosts can actually get rid of the guests, and enjoying from plastic cups from the edge of a swimming pool during 120 degree heat.
Music Pairings: This is a great classical wine. Enjoy with anything from the Baroque era, such as Bach.
Where to Buy: I have only been able to find this wine at the winery, at http://www.chiarellawines.com/ They have a wine club, which is very cool.
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