Scoring 17+ points, this 12% alcohol Italian wine cost just $3.97 back in 1981.

It was brick-orange, still had fruit notes and after decanting, it was soft as silk. Again, I wanted a basic non-complicated dish as a partner to highlight the wine, not the food!

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At 37 years old, the well-made Chianti showed its best.

This 1978 Saccardi Chianti Classico “Black Rooster” Tuscan wine was the perfect example of aged Chianti. I tasted and wrote about this wine ten years ago saying I thought it was ready back then. It just goes to show you  that in cool, dark cellars with no vibration, wine continue to live. In vino veritas.

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Pasta and pesto from just-picked basil and a Jersey green salad helped to make the wine the featured concern for the evening.