Cafaggio Chianti Classico 06: a tale of 2 supermarkets

[rjsussex]

Used to buy Cafaggio CC quite regularly but not for some years.

Noticed that 2 UK supermarkets had the 06 on sale - or what was it?

Waitrose had the real deal: 'Villa Cafaggio', Italian backlabel, cut to £9 from £13.
Marks and Spencer had, 'exclusive and unique to M&S', 'Basilica Cafaggio... Single Estate [sic]', cut to £9 from £12.

First difference: Waitrose 13.5%; M&S 13%.
Second difference: Waitrose cork chunky and tapered and marked Villa Cafaggio; M&S cork slighter and more ordinary, no Cafaggio name on it.

The differences in taste etc were subtle but clear and became more obvious over the evening. The M&S colour was more evolved; the nose was more neutral and bland; the taste had less CC typicity. The Waitrose had cherries and chocolate class on the nose and real vigorous fruit-acid zing on the palate - and was longer. impressive. Bought the last 6 the next day.

M&S backlabels often make a claim about the wine being 'exclusive and unique' to them. I wonder if this obsession got them to commission a lesser blend from Cafaggio, perhaps with more oak-ageing and less Chianti-bite for their genteel customers?

Anyone know?

Best

Richard

[AlexR]

Messing people around like that can get you in trouble.

The two names are too similar, the quality is too dissimilar.

I sure hope the wine buyers at Waitrose find out about this.

Why not write them a letter?

All the best,
Alex