Castellina. Cecchi. Chianti.

If you conjur an image in your mind of the quintessential Tuscan hill town, complete with Fortress, a piazza dominated by a Church, various enoteca and cute meandering alleys filled with shops,  you will have pictured Castellina in Chianti.

Central to the wine production of this hamlet in the center of Chianti Classico is the Cecchi Family.  For generations, a stalwart producer, the firm is now run by brothers Andrea and Cesare Cecchi and the quality has never been better.  I've written before about Villa Cerna and Coevo, but wonderful wines that express the terroir and the deft hand of winemaker Andrea Cecchi, but today we are looking at a more stripped down, soulful version of the family's wares.

~ Life in Castellina in Chianti:  One of the towns nooks and crannies ~

The most recent release from the Cecchi Family is the 2012 Cecchi Chianti Classico.

I was looking for a photo of the old Cecchi label - I remember buying this wine in the 1993 vintage and thinking - this wine could be really great if Tuscany would ever have another vintage like 1990.   All these years later, with warmer weather and much improved winemaking practices and it seems more vintages than not are top quality.  

This wine sports a new label.  Medium ruby in the glass, with a slight fade to burnt siena at the rim, it actually reminds of Brunello in appearance.  The aromas are simply classic.  Dried herbs, flowers, dusty cherries.... I love to smell it and think of the white roads, the cypress, the olive groves.  The smell of the Tuscan air.  It's in this glass and it's hard to relate if you haven't experienced it firsthand.   On the palate the flavors largely echo the nose with crisp, refreshing balanced acidity that creates the perfect foil to a wonderful array of food.  We actually enjoyed this over two days with pizza, caprese salad, grilled chicken and pasta with sausage and bread crumbs.  Wonderful accompaniment.  88 points and a nice value around $20.

Salute!