Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico | Costco Chianti Score!

There’s just something special about Chianti. When I first started getting into wine, I was turned off its telltale core of tart, earthy fruit which always seems brought to life by zesty, palate cleansing acidity. Now? I simply can’t get enough of these quaffable, food-friendly wines.

So when I spotted the $14 Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico in my local Costco Wine Section with a self-talker touting it’s recent recognition as #46 of the Top 100 Wines of 2015 per Wine Spectator, I knew I had to investigate…

Appearance: Medium garnet red.

Nose: Fragrant rose petal aromas mingle with with sour cherry, truffles, smoke, forest floor and subtle suggestions of earth.

On the palate: Medium in body, the Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico is clean, pure and smooth as juicy, slightly tart red fruit flavors unfold in the mouth. This Chianti strikes me as somewhat modern in style, yet with just enough smoke, dusty tannin and earthy undertones to remind me of its old-world origins.

Vintage: 2012

Varietal Composition: Sangiovese, Cannaiolo

Origin: Chianti Classico, Italy

Value Rating:  4.25 / 5     

Where to get it: The Costco Wine Section.

Price: $13.89 (wine-searcher average is $17)

Score: 89

Should you buy? If you’re looking for an affordable, well-executed Chianti then the Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico is a solid option – especially at Costco’s sub $14 price! The producer suggests pairing with roasts, pasta dishes and cheese, and I think this immensely quaffable, table-friendly wine would be perfect with the latter two.

Value Proposition – Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico | Costco Wine

The sad reality is that more and more commercially available wines you’ll encounter sub $15 taste less and less like a varietally correct wine and more like a wine cocktail. These increasingly popular, expertly marketed wines might deliver a lot of easy drinking flavor – but almost always lack any sense of place whatsoever.

But the Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico offers a refreshing departure from this new trend. For those wine lovers who enjoy interesting, food-friendly wines that taste manage to impart a true sense of place without breaking the bank – the Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico offers a solid combination of quaffability, personality and affordability.