With a reprint of Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine" on the front label (one of the Renaissance artist's greatest works housed today in Krakow, Poland), the 2017 Chianti Superiore is a simple and stripped-down wine that falls short of the immense beauty and complexity of da Vinci's brush strokes. This is a summary wine that does a reasonably good job of pointing out the basics of Sangiovese and Chianti in cliff note fashion. You get fresh, ripe raspberry with redcurrant and bitter almond.

Banfi’s informal Chianti opens with sweet fruit and spice followed by sour cherry and bramble. Pair this no-fuss Italian red with lasagna or ravioli with cheese. ——M.L.(2/1/2012)—— 84

Banfi’s Chianti Superiore opens with easy but bright and cheerful aromas of cherry, raspberry and cassis. The mouthfeel is thin and compact but the wine has the natural acidity to pair with risotto or cheesy pasta.——M.L.(4/1/2011)—— 86