Canto Del Principe Tre Cipressi Bolgheri Rosso at Trader Joe’s

If your idea of Bolgheri is all Cabernet swagger and Super Tuscan polish, here’s a curveball: a Sangiovese-led blend with coastal poise, priced at $14.99 and sitting quietly on a Trader Joe’s shelf. Reverse Wine Snob took the 2022 Canto Del Principe Tre Cipressi Bolgheri Rosso Toscana for a spin and found plenty of charm. As a California-based wine writer who loves a good coastal breeze—on a vineyard or a surf break—I’m into what this bottle represents: accessible Tuscan character without the flexy price tag.

Style Snapshot

Blend: 60% Sangiovese, 30% Malvasia, 10% Ciliegiolo. ABV: 13.5%. Residual sugar: 2 g/L (firmly dry). Imported by D’Aquino.

According to Reverse Wine Snob, the nose opens with “brambly berries, bright black cherry, plum” plus touches of baking spice, mint, and vanilla. The palate keeps it fruit-first with juicy acidity and those familiar Tuscan edges. Their take is refreshingly direct: “It’s mostly about the fruit.” —Reverse Wine Snob

Expect medium body, fresh structure, and a clean, dry finish. As the source notes, “It ends dry and juicy with good length.” —Reverse Wine Snob

Why This Bolgheri Is Different

Bolgheri, on Tuscany’s coast, is famous for Bordeaux varieties—think Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot powering iconic Super Tuscans. Sangiovese, however, is the heartbeat grape of much of Tuscany, celebrated for red cherry, high acidity, and that savory, sun-kissed snap. Seeing it lead a Bolgheri blend is a bit off-script but not unwelcome, especially with Ciliegiolo (often adding bright cherry tones) and Malvasia (likely Malvasia Nera here) rounding the profile.

The result, per Reverse Wine Snob’s tasting, is a dry, fruit-forward red with “vibrant freshness” and “velvety tannins,” per the bottle’s own description. If you love Chianti-style lift but want a slightly riper, coastal feel, this checks the box—minus the oak bomb or heavyweight extraction.

Context: Value Meets Tuscan Character

At $14.99, this sits squarely in value territory and leans into easy-drinking appeal without feeling generic. Reverse Wine Snob gives it a Taste score of 8 (roughly 89–90 points) and an Overall Rating of 7.5, stamping it a Recommended Buy. It also held up “similar on day 2,” which speaks to the freshness and balance over flash.

For buyers, note the dry designation despite a “sweet tasting” impression of the fruit—totally normal when ripe flavors and vanilla/spice cues meet brisk acidity. With 2 g/L RS, it’s technically dry, and that zippy Tuscan backbone keeps things lively.

Best Occasion

Weeknight pizza and pasta, casual dinner parties, or a beach sunset where you want a crowd-pleaser that still feels genuinely Tuscan.

Best Pairing Direction

Lean toward tomato-friendly dishes and grilled favorites: classic Margherita or sausage pizza, herby roast chicken, grilled veggies, or a simple pasta al pomodoro. Avoid heavy cream sauces; let its acidity play with tomatoes, herbs, and char.

Final Takeaway

Reverse Wine Snob calls it “Tasty, with lots of Tuscan character.” —Reverse Wine Snob. I’d add: it’s a coastal-leaning, Sangiovese-driven red that puts freshness over fuss and price over prestige. If Bolgheri usually feels out of reach, this bottle is a friendly gateway option—authentic enough to teach, approachable enough to pour generously.

Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/canto-del-principe-tre-cipressi-bolgheri-trader-joes/