Since we are four tonight, I decided it was finally time to do a head-to-head comparison of 2008 Mosti Mondiale Chianti with the 2009 WE Chianti.  Overall, both tasted very similar;  very basic, clean, nice table wines.  We tasted alone and with a spinach salad with blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.  Both wines were great alone or with food.  The 2008 MM chianti had more of a garnet hue, whereas the 2009 WE chianti was a brighter ruby-garnet in color.  Otherwise, the 2008 MM had more of caramel flavor, and the 2009 WE was fresher, more fruit-forward.  In the end, both kits yielded very nice, reliable table wines that were great with any food.

Today I bottled 30 bottles each of a cabernet sauvignon kit (for Dave) and chianti (for me).  As I was putting labels on the chianti, I noticed one cork with wine seeping out of the top.  I’ve never had this happen before.  I yanked that one out, and wine spewed out – we had overfilled the bottle and missed it before corking it.  I took a little wine out and recorked it, problem solved (hopefully).

Tasting notes for cabernet sauvignon: Very clear, not filtered; bulk aged 3 months. Spice, black currant, and licorice on the nose. Tastes very young, but good fruit with light spice. Should be very nice in about 2 years.

Tasting notes for chianti: Nose of spice, tobacco, and plum, with hint of soapiness typical of kit reds. Very clear, did not filter (bulk aged one month). Thin palate, very weak, but spicy with red fruits. Definitely need to leave in bottle minimum one month, 3 would probably be better.

The Pacific Quartet is very nice for day of bottling. 10.3% final alcohol, no oak, but did have a “susse-reserve” pack added after secondary fermentation. Did not filter, but wine is still very clear and very light greenish-golden in color. A lot of acidic notes in the nose, with citrus and apple. Zingy flavors of peach, pear, and lychee with light effervescence. Slightly sweet as well. Great summer wine!

I picked up the chianti on special as another easy-drinking red to stock the cellar.  This is my first Mosti Mondiale kit, a Vinifera Noble type and came with 30 grams of oak.  The instruction sheet for this one is kinda funny, there’s a cartoon guy doing each step, he looks really smug.

True to the description, the chianti is very drinkable on the day of bottling! This wine was filtered as recommended, resulting in a lovely clear dark garnet color. Fruity nose with raspberry and blackberry and hint of spice. Very spicy flavors of rich dark fruits with good tannins. I might have to make another batch this year! 12% final alcohol.