By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Antinori is an Italian winery that is more than 600 years old but helped revolutionize the country’s wine industry in the 1980s.
It was during that era when we saw the rise of the super Tuscan wines that were blends of international grapes, a major change from the very rigid wine classification system that regulated grape varieties used in specific regions.
That’s the case with this wine, which actually started as a chianti in the 1940s. It is a blend of 60 percent sangiovese with cabernet, merlot and syrah. It’s very soft and balanced with smooth tannins but with plenty of structure and red fruit flavors.
Sherry: “Fruity cherry and plum, raspberry and strawberry with a touch of spice.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Leather notes with flavors of raspberry and cherry.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $11.
Coming next week: Antigal Uno Malbec