I tried this recipe because of the description. I find most chilis to be too bland for me, and he claimed to have a strong chili here. I was extremely disappointed. I added extra chili powder and cayenne, and it was still too bland. I also cut the beans in half, and there were still too many for our taste. Overall, there was just something off about the taste - I'm not sure if it was the sugar or the Italian-style seasonings, but it wasn't quite right.

Reviewed On: May 24, 2005

It was very good, but it wasn't spectacular. I cooked it in a crock pot for 8 hours to blend the flavors a little better, and it was still a little weaker than I would have liked. We like our chili to be a little spicier, and have a little more depth. I would use this again as a base to add my own seasonings on top of. I did have to triple the amount of wine in order for there to be enough liquid. However, the fresh herbs are a must. Overall, an easy recipe if you're looking for something different from basic chili.

Reviewed On: May 24, 2005