Fattoria La Striscia, an historic 35-acre Tuscan estate owned by the Occhini family since the 1600’s, graces the Colli Aretini, the hills of Arezzo, that arise from the floodplain of the Arno River fifty miles southeast of Florence. Here they make true Chianti from only Sangiovese and other native Tuscan grapes (no Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot). This unfiltered wine is rich, with crisp red berry fruit and subtle spice, medium-bodied with excellent structure, and made for current drinking. Its distinctive forthrightness, elegance and complexity are unusual for Chianti at such a reasonable price. Estate-grown and bottled, it’s a great food wine and obviously not a production-line Chianti – only 1,200 cases were produced. As often occurs with unfiltered offerings, some sediment may develop. While this surely reflects its enhanced flavor profile, Bernardino might need to be decanted.