In wine industry jargon, this Chianti is a “red-and-white-checkerboard-tablecloth” type wine, something lifted right off the table of the iconic Italian bistro. These wines are often maligned, but the secret to these wines is that they are often really good, simply made but diligently crafted wines as hearty and complex as far more expensive Tuscan wines. Curiously for such a pleasantly rustic wine, it was Princess Eleonora Ruspoli Berlingieri who began making wine at her estate in 1958. The winery’s owners today still live in the Ruspoli Palace on Piazza Ruspoli in the heart of Rome, but they spare no expense at the winery, fit out with the latest technology, and the vineyards are on some of the best soil in the Chianti Classico zone, with a strong limestone component to preserve acidity in the grapes. Aged in a mix of concrete and French oak, the wine offers distinct aromas of food: brisket or pulled pork, along with rich black cherry, tomato leaf, tobacco, oregano, suede, and blackberry jam. The palate is crunchy with black cherry, italian seasoning, and a touch of dates and orange oil on the finish. Perfectly medium bodied and perfectly tuned for pastas from everyday spaghetti to bolognese, and generous cuts of meat.