Sopranos Chianti Lineup

Brand licensing is a big business in some lines of products, such as clothing and toys, but I haven’t seen much of it in the wine world. I was curious when I heard about Sopranos wines: Is it pure marketing shtick or is there some substance to the wines? The folks that produce Sopranos wines sent me a few bottles to try so I could find out.

My first impression is that it’s a risky play from a business perspective, but potentially a smart move. Some wine brands launch with a “big name” winemaker and have immediate cachet—at least with the wine geeks. But many wine brands try to build brand equity by growing a following gradually over time, as consumers discover their wine and like it they develop loyalty. New brands have a hard time standing out in an overcrowded shelf. And most wine marketing, in my opinion, is full of cliche, making it even more difficult to stand out. So it would seem that licensing a name that has a lot of clout in consumer’s minds would help you stand out.

And stand out is one thing the Sopranos wines do well. The artwork on the labels is eye catching. It jumps out and catches your attention right away. I have a shelf at home where I organize the wines that I have in queue for tastings, and when guests were at the house while these wines were in that mix it was the first thing they would comment on. They ooo’d and ah’d at these wines, without ever tasting them. That’s some valuable brand equity. But while a gimmick may get a first time buyer, if the taste of the wine disappoints you’re not going to get repeat customers.

The first thing I had to try was the Chianti lineup (other Sopranos wine reviews will be forthcoming). I love a good Chianti, but surprisingly this is the first time I’ve reviewed any on this site. Sopranos has three different Chiantis, at progressively higher price points. The Chianti ($10.95), Chianti Classico ($23.99), and Chianti Classico Reserva ($29.99). The last two are higher priced than the wines we usually review, but since we had them to taste why not post the reviews?

When I taste different “grades” of wine from the same producer I’m always hoping to find the low-priced one to be the best, but I have yet to see that happen. And this one continues that trend, with the more expensive being the best of the three.

Sopranos Chianti

This wine is predictable for an inexpensive Chianti, but that’s not a bad thing. Cherry, straw and a hint of strawberry make up the nose. It almost has a subtle bubblegum aroma. The nose isn’t very intense. The palate has good acidity and the flavors are mostly cherry. There’s a little black pepper too, and some strawberry on the finish. It’s a good Chianti.

Wine: Sopranos
Variety: Chianti
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 84
Price: $10.95

Find Sopranos Chianti with Snooth

Sopranos Chianti Classico

The intensity on the nose is similar to the base Chianti, but the aromas are more earthy and smooth. A dusty cherry, soft blackberry and toasted oak make a very nice bouquet. The palate is also very smooth. The tannins are heavier than the base Chianti, but not overpowering… in fact, they are just right. The flavor profile is mostly cherry. It gets a little bitter on the finish. It’s a good Chianti and would be even better with food.

Wine: Sopranos Chianti Classico
Variety: Chianti
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 85
Price: $23.99

Sopranos Chianti Classico Riserva

This is their “Reserva” for a reason. It’s much more interesting on the nose, with a rose aroma adding a lot of character to this wine. Additionally, you’ll still find the cherry aromas you expect from a Chianti, vanilla and caramel. The palate is rich and smooth. Very well structured black cherry, blackberry and cocoa fill your palate. The acidity is perfect and the tannins are velvety. The finish is good, although a little short. All told, this is a great wine.

Wine: Sopranos Chianti Classico Riserva
Variety: Chianti
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 89
Price: $29.99

Find Sopranos Chianti Classico Riserva with Snooth