Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico is counted among the oldest wine appellations in the world. It was first demarcated in 1716 by the decree of Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici. Being more than 300 years old, the region has developed a lot of legends and stories around its name, including the one about the black rooster that helped the Florentines to win over the Sienese.

Being criticised a lot recently for the absence of the more precise terroir division within its 4083 ha of vineyards, the Consortium came up in 2021 with new regulations introducing 11 sub-zones called UGAS (Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive) Castellina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole, Greve, Lamole, Montefioralle, Panzano, Radda, San Casciano, San Donato in Poggio and Vagliagi. These new toponyms might appear as early as 2022 vintage on the labels of Gran Selezione wines, the top single-estate category, which requires at least 90% Sangiovese in the blend and 30 months of ageing. At the moment, according to the data from the Consortium, there are 154 wineries producing Gran Selezione, which represents around 6% of the appellation production. Some Gran Selezione wines are made from single vineyards and provide a genuine sense of place.

Gaudio Carus Vini Chianti

Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016

The nose is intense and perfumed, slightly oaky and smoky, revealing notes of dried red and black cherries, dried herbs, roasted meat, cinnamon, cedarwood and a touch of rose petals. The palate is juicy, fresh, with alcohol well-balanced by the juiciness and refreshing acidity. The wine reveals notes of fresh and dried red berries, some cranberries, cherries, goji berries, with a touch of balsamic, rosemary, mahogany and cloves. The tannins are smooth and silky. An elegant, classic style of Chianti Classico with a nice balance between power and finesse.

Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Castello La Leccia Bruciagna

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG

2018

A ruby colour of moderate intensity with some garnet hues. The nose is a bit restrained, heady and powerful with notes of dark cherries, cherry liqueur, nuances of blackberries and bramble, touches of sweet baking spices – vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, a bit of cacao. The palate is voluptuous, showing a lot of volume, power and concentration. The wine reveals notes of sweet, candied cherries, dried strawberries, roasted herbs and a touch of smoke. The tannins are grippy and chalky, but well-managed and ripe. The finish is warming, intense and persistent. Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Castello La Leccia

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018

An attractive ruby colour with a touch of garnet. The nose is dense and concentrated revealing notes of dried and confit cherries, a touch of balsamic, roasted rosemary, a nice minty note. The palate is fresh and vivid, showing some volume but well-balanced by the refreshing acidity. The wine demonstrates notes of fresh and roasted cherries, a touch of strawberries and raspberries, dried herbs and a pleasant savoury and spicy hint. The tannins are bold and round. The finish shows some length and warmth.

Score : 14.5/20 (88/100)

Casa di Monte Le Capitozze

Chianti Classico Riserva 2016

A ruby-garnet colour, showing some evolution. The nose is intense with a plethora of animalistic notes, roasted meat, dried herbs, a touch of dried cherries and plums. The palate is juicy and elegant, revealing nuances of red berries, fresh cherries, strawberries, a touch of cranberries, spices and wood. The wine demonstrates some chalky tannins, a nice round body and a good freshness. The finish is savoury and slightly drying.

Score : 14.5/20 (88/100)

Montefioralle

Chianti Classico Riserva 2018

An opaque ruby colour with a hint of garnet on the rim. The nose is intense, warming and powerful. It reveals notes of dark berries, black cherries, plums, bramble, a touch of herbals, tomato leaf, a nice fine note of mint chocolate. The palate is voluptuous and heady, without being heavy. The wine demonstrates notes of dried red and black cherries, liquorice, roasted rosemary and a hint of balsamic. The tannins are bold, chalky and fine-grained. A muscular style that manages to keep balance and a certain finesse due to the typical Sangiovese acidity and herbaceous character.

Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)

Cantine Guidi 1929

Chianti Classico Riserva 2018

A pale ruby colour with a garnet hue. The nose is delicate, floral, with notes of rose petals, dried sweet red cherries, raspberries, a touch of dried herbs, rosemary and a savoury note of spices. The palate reveals a lot of sweet oak with nuances of cacao, cinnamon, vanilla, roasted coffee. Later the notes of cherry pie, strawberry compote, a touch of kirsch show through. The tannins are bold but round and well-managed. A modern style balanced between the sweetness of oak and fruits and the bold tannins and crisp acidity of Sangiovese.

Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)

Borgo Scopeto Vigna Misciano

Chianti Classico Riserva 2018

The wine shows a medium-deep ruby colour with a garnet rim. The nose is slightly muted, with aeration revealing notes of dried rose petals, dried cherries, cranberries, a touch of sweet spices, balsamic and wood. The palate is elegant but concentrated and dense, packed with dried red fruits, demonstrating refreshing acidity and extraordinary finesse. The palate demonstrates notes of dried plums, cherries, raspberries, with a lick of iron, savoury herbs, rosemary and sage. The tannins are velvety and smooth and the finish shows a pleasant bitterness which adds to the overall complexity and freshness.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Borgo Scopeto

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015

The wine has a medium-deep garnet colour with a slightly orange rim. The nose is intense, smoky, slightly reductive, revealing notes of cherries and strawberries in syrup, eucalyptus, a touch of menthol, black tea, some earthiness and tar. The palate is dense and bright, showing a lot of juiciness and good fruit concentration. The acidity is still present and lifts up the flavours. The palate is perfumed, slightly animalistic and smoky, showing a touch of wood with a plethora of sweet and savoury spices. The tannins are smooth, velvety and fluid. The finish is aerial, slightly bitter, with a pronounced smokiness in the background.

Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Melini Vigneti La Selvanella

Chianti Classico Riserva 2017

The wine shows a medium-deep bright ruby colour. The nose is intense and smoky, offering notes of black cherries, plums, blackberries, black pepper, savoury herbs and roasted meat. The palate is tightly wound, powerful, with a nice freshness and grippy, sticky, bold tannins. The palate demonstrates notes of black fruits, balsamic, resin, underlaid by pronounced oakiness and smokiness. The finish is warming and powerful with a touch of bitterness in the background. Score : 14.5+/20 (88/100)

Losi Millenium

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015

The wine shows a deep ruby colour starting to give a garnet hue on the rim. The nose is pronounced, intense and gives a sweet, warming sensation. There are notes of cinnamon, gingerbread, cloves, a touch of figs and prunes, some cumin in the echo. The palate is dense and concentrated showing a lot of power. The tannins are muscular and slightly rustic. The wine reveals notes of kirsch, amaretto, a touch of cherry drupe and almonds, all spices up with rich balsamic and savoury nuances. A powerful and heady style with a gourmet, juicy, warming finish.

Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)