The name La Maialina ("little pig") references the Cinta Senese heirloom breed that originated in the Siena area during the 1300’s and is the only Tuscan native pig to survive extinction. So why are we talking about pork in an email about Chianti? Quite simply that is also the name of an exciting new Chianti project. Essentially La Maialina is a negociant brand from a quality oriented importer that we have dealt with for years who focuses primarily cutting edge type Italian estates. These inaugural releases for La Maialina came from wine that was purchased in bulk from what was said to be "an elite Chianti estate" and then raised in a separate facility by superstar winemaker Attilo Pagli.Some of you may remember the Maialina name as we profiled all of the Maialina wines, including putting their entry level Chianti on our front page, back in our newsletter in January of 2011. The wines all got very nice reviews from Antonio Galloni of Wine Advocate (particularly this one), were offered for extremely attractive prices for their various designations, and have been consistent sellers here during the last year and a half.
We have purchased these Chiantis from two different wholesalers over that period of time. Frankly, on more than one occasion, we had to wonder how wines this engaging, well-reviewed and well-priced could still be around so long after the fact. Apparently the purveyors wondered the same thing and, literally yesterday, offered us an opportunity to drop the price on this delicious Riserva by nearly 20% from our $17 price (list is $23). Here is a fruit packed, polished, Wine-Advocate-92-point Riserva Chianti that Antonio Galloni called "...simply beautiful." It's from a top estate, in a high quality, generous vintage, and raised by an elite enologist, and we could drop the price on a wine that was already the best Riserva Chianti deal on the market by $3 to under $14 per bottle! Our choice was clear. Take advantage of this surprising opportunity while you can. This classy 'little pig' is a whale of a buy. Good hunting while it lasts.
