Let me begin with the back label, which tried really hard to romance me with words like “harmonious” and “reflections.” I half-expected it to break into interpretive dance or whisper Italian poetry in my ear. Look, I don’t need my wine to be spiritually aligned—I just want it to taste good. In its defense, the last sentence talks about pairing it with roast meat and game…now you have my attention.
I cracked open this 2021 Coli Chianti Classico Riserva (say that three times fast) at the start of the evening with some homemade hummus and naan bread apps. Yes, I’m fully aware that this isn’t the traditional pairing—no Italian nonna would approve—but it was what I had, and I was not about to cook a wild boar ragu on a Wednesday.
The wine was your typical Chianti: dry, not too acidic, and blessedly not one of those puckery types that make you feel like your face is collapsing. It wasn’t fruity, but there was maybe a whisper of jam in the background… like the ghost of a strawberry wandered through the vineyard once.
If you’ve had Chianti before, congratulations—you’ve basically had this one. It didn’t do anything wrong, but it didn’t exactly stand out either. It was like the wine version of a polite coworker: totally fine, pleasant enough, and immediately forgettable once the meeting is over.
Day two? Honestly, I forgot it was in the decanter. Which says something. I gave it a courtesy sip just to be sure it hadn’t turned into vinegar or developed a complex personality overnight. Nope. Still just hanging out in that middle-of-the-road “table wine” lane which was a good fit for my leftover burrito.
Would I buy it again? Doubtful at $9.99. If I needed something to go with takeout pizza or impress exactly zero people. Until then, I’ll keep this one in the mental “meh” file—right next to brussel sprouts, plain yogurt, and the word harmonious.
Types of Grapes: Sangiovese and ….
ABV % / Fun Juice Level: 13.5%
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Grocery Outlet Price: $9.99
