Inexpensive Chianti Classico Riserva from Trader Joe’s, but can it measure up to the rivals from Costco and Aldi? We review the Il Tesoro Chianti Classico Riserva.
Primarily Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. As a Chianti Classico Riserva the wine is aged at least two years.
The Il Tesoro is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s and sells for $12.99. It is imported by Latitude Wines, LLC.
From the bottle:
IL TESORO Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva hails from the heart of Tuscany, Italy, where rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards whisper tales of tradition.
DOCG is a prestigious Italian wine designation that guarantees the origin and quality of the wine, made from selected grapes and traditional methods according to strict regulations.
Crafted primarily from noble Sangiovese grapes, this medium-bodied red boasts a captivating bouquet of dark cherry, plum, and warm spice with a harmonious symphony of red fruit flavors on the palate, accented by gentle tannins that lend structure and elegance.
It’s a delightful companion to grilled meats, hearty pastas, or simply enjoyed on its own.
A Legacy of Quality at an Extraordinary Value
Bottled by Castellani S.p.A.
13.5% Alcohol
You might think that $12.99 is quite a reasonable price for Chianti Classico Riserva. With stringent requirements, including 24 months of aging, most examples will be found for much more than this. The only issue is that both Costco and Aldi have pretty tasty examples that retail for much less.
In the case of Costco that is the very well regarded Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva made by Barone Ricasoli. We gave that wine an 8 Taste Rating which based on the price of just $9 gives it an Overall Rating of 8.3 (Bulk Buy).
For Aldi we have the Specially Selected Chianti Riserva, which is a Riserva level wine, but not Chianti Classico – although it clocks in even cheaper at just $8. It gets a Taste Rating of 7, giving it a solid Overall Rating of 7.5 (Recommended Buy).
In other words, there is some stiff competition here priced quite a bit less than this Trader Joe’s example. Let’s see if it can compete.
The 2019 Il Tesoro By Trader Joe’s Chianti Classico Riserva opens with lots of cedar and barrel room aromas plus plum, black cherry and sweet spices. It’s not a bad start.
Taking a sip of the medium-bodied wine reveals it to taste very similar to the nose. It’s also quite smooth in the mouth but really doesn’t have much depth.
It ends dry with a medium long finish. Overall, it’s just OK although it was a bit better on day 2.
We give it a 7 Taste Rating, but thanks to the higher cost, it just barely squeaks by with a Overall Rating of 7 (the lowest a wine can get and still be considered a Recommended Buy).
Our recommendation would be to seek out the aforementioned examples from Costco and Aldi, but in a pinch, this wine will also do.
2019 Il Tesoro Chianti Classico Riserva
As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe’s as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.
You can also find more of our recommended Chianti here!
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