2006 Dalla Pancia, 95% Sangiovese/ 5% Merlot, Chianti DOCG, Tuscany

This fun wine comes to us through Black Sheep Finds down in the Santa Barbara area. The wine is aged for 15 months in a combination of small and large barrels. Great texture that just invites the food in.

Here is some of the personality this winery delivers: "Dalla Pancia was made according to traditional practices in Tuscany (including smoking on the job and long mid-afternoon naps). Hand picked, sorted and aged for 15 months in barriques. In May 2007, Peter and Amy traveled back to Italy to taste the components, ultimately settling on a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. This was a very happy trip filled with friends, food, wine, food, vineyards and food. We hate to say it, but the couple packed on a few unnecessary pounds. On the journey back, after being charged a surplus weight fee by AlItalia and undergoing a strip search in security due to a mysterious bulge in Peter's mid-section, the name of the Chianti project was born. 'Dalla Pancia' translates as 'from the belly' and indeed, all good things are. 500 cases produced (from sustainable vineyards)."