Winemaker Justin Bubb splits his year between Tasmania (Pooley Wines) and Tuscany, where he makes a delicious collection of wines under the Babo label. There are a couple of firsts here; this is the first Chianti to be bottled under screwcap and it's one of the first to be bottled in a Burgundy bottle as opposed to the traditional Claret shape (for the Fiasco wicker bottle!) For this Chianti-Beaujolais hybrid, Justin has employed whole berry fermentation with roughly 30% carbonic maceration, simply fermented and then raised in concrete vats for six months. It's a wonderfully bright and aromatic Sangiovese with notes of raspberry and red cherry, good texture and lightweight tannins, with sappy acidity and a thirst quenching finish.

A beautifully styled and expressed Chianti, with a complex bouquet showing cherry, baking spice and almond meal, rounded out with gamy nuances. Perfectly balanced on the palate, it has fine tannins and a long, dry finish. Perfect with pastas, grilled chicken and mild cheeses.

Santa Margherita Chianti Classico hails from the historic Tuscan region of Chianti; the spiritual home of Sangiovese. This exciting Sangio has an intense ruby red colour with faintly garnet tones. The initial aromatic sensations are sweetish and vanilla-like, typical of wines matured in barriques. The clean, ethereal bouquet then highlights Sangioveses spicy notes. On the palate we again find very well integrated oak which soon gives way to hints of wild berry fruit preserve and to that nuance of spices we perceived on the nose.

Carpineto Spolverino (Feather Duster) is an exciting Sangiovese blend from Chianti that pokes a little fun at the traditional Italian wine laws which prohibit a wine being labelled 'Chianti Classico' being bottled under screw-cap. As we love our wines to be fresh and vibrant in Australia, this brilliant (and affordable!) Chianti, closed with a Stelvin Lux, has enticing red cherry aromas blended with a touch of tobacco leaf and spice. Wonderfully medium-bodied, the palate is rich and generous, although supported by that typical Tuscan structure of zippy acid and soft, powdery tannin. Saluté!

Dal Zotto Sangiovese is mid garnet with a purple hue; the savoury bouquet is immediately reminiscent of Tuscany with briary red fruits, sour cherry in particular, sage and thyme and a little earthy complexity adding interest; the palate is medium-bodied and fleshy on entry, with the crunchy tannin and acid of the variety providing an engaging and savoury platform to conclude; will handle a huge array of flavours, from light to full blooded.

When a young Alfredo emigrated from Spain in 1940, he had a clear vision of his family’s new life in Australia. Today, his legacy sees the Nugan family established as one of Australia’s most successful agricultural enterprises. This wine is a tribute to his vision and the passion he instilled in his family. Sourced from the Frasca’s Lane Vineyard in Victoria’s cool climate King Valley. Ripe aromas of cherry with hints of mocha, dark chocolate and earth followed by a savoury palate of spicy plum and raspberry with well-integrated tannins.

Chianti is one of Italy’s great classic reds and Riserva is the region’s highest quality classification. This superb 2014 comes from our great friend and favourite producer the affable Paolo Masi, at his family estate in the superior Rufina area.