Wine of the Week: DaVinci Chianti

Wine: DaVinci Chianti

Grapes: Sangiovese (90 percent), merlot (10 percent)

Region: Tuscany, Northern Italy

Vintage: 2013

Price: $11.99

Availability: Vons and other retailers

In the glass: DaVinci Chianti is a very firm ruby-red color with a semi-opaque crimson core, going out into a bright vermillion to light garnet rim definition and has medium-high viscosity.

On the nose: There is immediate classic red and black fruit with crushed red cherries, red currant trifle and cranberry crush, then some interesting star anise, dry flint and mineral undertones with a touch of lightly dusted herbs.

On the palate: The wine is medium-bodied, which is perfect for immediate drinking, and shows nice character on the palate with fresh-tasting crushed red berry fruit, predominantly strawberry and red cherry, then wet stone and slight hints of acidity and of wood in the background. The wine is very easy on the midpalate and goes through to a nicely balanced finish that seems rather uncomplicated by most chianti standards. While not the most complex of wines, it is an excellent and very enjoyable drinking wine that loves good food.

Odds and ends: DaVinci wines are made by a fairly large cooperative out of Tuscany that simply pools resources from about 200 small growers and producers and "runs" several good brands, with DaVinci (both red and white) as their flagship brand. If you're in a place like Tuscany, this type of operation is an excellent way to make an impact without having to produce bulk wines. It is common to find several vintages of DaVinci's classic chiantis in the market and I am focusing on the 2013 vintage here, since it was an interesting one for chianti. The good news about DaVinci is that it is widely available and although I found it at Vons on a special, it is to be found in many other stores as well. As for 2013, it was probably one of the most difficult vintages for vintners across Europe, yet Tuscany seemed to have escaped the worst of it and came out with lovely light to medium-bodied wines that work so well with Italian foods especially. (DaVinci also has the more serious chianti riserva available with more bottle age and depth, again like this one, incredibly well-priced.) Try this chianti with a classic pasta dish like Bolognese or Alfredo. Drink it now through 2018.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz's wine column appears on Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89106-0749, or email him at gil@winevegas.com.