Tesco Chianti Classico 2010 (£6.99 Tesco)
Warm, earthy, Wednesday-evening type of wine, slightly chewy with some freshness, and enough hearty cherry and plum fruit to pad it out. B(+)

Castellare Chianti Classico 2010 (£15.95 Bibendum)
Polished plummy plushness, modern style with blackberries and blackcurrant alongside the cherries, and touches of spice and vanilla to back it up. Purists might not like it, but it’s very tasty. S

San Felice Chianti Classico 2009 (£11.49 D Byrne, Field and Fawcett, John Hattersley Wines, Noel Young, Partridges, Woodwinters)
Soft and rounded style, with mature cherry (flesh and kernel) flavours, notes of cola and herbs, and a spicy, savoury finish. Brett plays a part, but it doesn’t destroy the gentle drinkability. B(-)

Poggerino Chianti Classico 2009 (£15.50 Lea & Sandeman)
Light and charming, delicate and fragrant, with juicy cherry and red berry, an undercurrent of earthiness, and a fresh finish. High cheekboned style, with effortless allure. S(+)

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 (£16.99 selected Sainsbury’s)
Another from the modernist school, with the leafy blackcurrant and berry pointing to the inclusion  of some Bordeaux grapes. But there’s still enough of the spicy cherry kernel, cola and herb to say that this is Chianti. S