Chianti Colli Senesi 2018

Chianti Colli Senesi 2018 is an Italian-style red from Massachusetts, labeled with the 2018 vintage. The name points to the Tuscan Chianti tradition, which is built on Sangiovese. The details here don't list the grape blend, oak regime or alcohol level, so what follows describes what wines in this style usually deliver. Expect a medium-bodied red with tart red cherry, dried cranberry and plum fruit, plus savory notes of dried herbs, tomato leaf and a little leather or tea. Sangiovese-style reds typically have bright, mouth-watering acidity and firm but fine-grained tannins. Oak, if used, is usually restrained and shows as light spice rather than overt vanilla. The finish tends to be dry and moderately long, with the acidity keeping it clean. That acid-and-tannin structure is why this style works at the table. It suits tomato-based dishes such as baked ziti, lasagne, eggplant parmigiana and margherita or sausage pizza, where the wine's acidity matches the sauce. It is also a good fit for roast chicken with rosemary, grilled sausages, mushroom risotto, and hard, salty cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or aged pecorino. Very spicy or sweet dishes tend to clash with the tannins, so lean toward savory food. Serve it lightly cooled, around 60 to 65°F (16 to 18°C). Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets a room-temperature bottle there. Warmer than that, the fruit goes flat and the alcohol stands out. A bottle of this kind rarely needs formal decanting, but pouring it into a decanter or simply opening it 20 to 30 minutes ahead can soften the tannins if it seems tight. Use a medium-sized tulip glass with a wide bowl that tapers slightly at the rim. It gathers the cherry and herbal aromas without exaggerating the acidity. On aging, a 2018 red of this style is generally meant for near-term drinking, and the next few years are a reasonable window. Without details on its tannin and acid levels, there's no basis for promising long cellaring. If you have a bottle, check how the fruit is holding up before holding it much longer.