Wine Tasting Note: Fattoria Mantellassi Morellino de Scansano, 2006, Tuscany, Italy.
Available from San Lorenzo for £9.73.
A super burst of ripe, almost sweet, fruit initially with plenty of cherry and blackcurrant flavours. Perfectly drinkable but could do with a little more age to come together – being open a-while helped in opening out the palate adding hints of spice and vanilla to a really nice wine.

Mostly Sangiovese plumped up with a little Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvaisa Nero and Canaiolo Nero. Alcohol 13.5%. The cheese pictured I believe is Bitto that worked rather nicely with both the Chianti and the Scansano.
Scribblings Rating – 90/100 [3.75 out of 5]
Wine Tasting Note: Fattoria di Luiano Chianti Classico 2005, Chianti, Italy.
Available from San Lorenzo for £10.83.
A spirited acidity marks this out as typically Chianti – a wine that proved its worth in matching the various Italian cheeses available on the night. Vibrant and crisp finish with a nice lingering flavour. Red fruits and cherries to the fore here with an edge of rusticity giving character.
Alcohol 13%. Mostly Sangiovese with a small amount of Canaiolo.
Scribblings Rating – 86/100 [3.25 out of 5]

In general Morellino di Scansano is less acidic than Chianti and, coming from a warmer area, are broader and with more sweet fruit. This is born out by comparing these two wines – the acidity in the Chianti was much more marked with the fruit being fleshier and riper in the Morellino. Both are great although my preference is for the Morellino (that riper fruit was a winner) if only on price.