Chianti Classico
Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
The wine has a medium ruby colour with a brightening rim. The nose is dense, sweet, revealing gourmet notes of sweet baking spices, cherry liqueur, a touch of red cherry confiture, delicate notes of noble oak. The palate is intensely oaky, spicy, though the woody notes are well balanced by ripe, sweet black and red cherries, nuances of strawberry compote. A distinct touch of coffee and smoke in the echo. The tannins are slightly drying but rather elegant and smooth. The finish is lingering with notes of tobacco and roast.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016
The wine shows a vivid ruby colour with garnet hues. The nose is a bit muted with a distinct metallic, earthy note, later revealing hints of bay leaf, eucalyptus, a touch of thyme, nuances of red and black cherries. The palate shows some elegance with balanced acidity and drying, but polished tannins. The wine offers a herbal profile with crunchy red fruits in the background. The finish is drying and slightly austere. Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
Fèlsina Rancia
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
The wine shows a pale ruby-garnet colour. The nose is packed with notes of sweet baking spices, noble wood, nutmeg and tobacco. The palate shows good intensity with a touch of oaky sweetness. The oak is dominating now while ripe red fruits are slightly muted. With aeration they start to open up with nuances of dried cherries, strawberry compote and raspberry confiture. The wine reveals a nice, crunchy acidity and polished, through bold tannins. The finish is gourmet and voluptuous with a lot of power and concentration. Though already accessible, this Chianti Classico needs some more time in the bottle to integrate the oak better. Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)
Monsanto
Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 (barrel sample)
The wine shows a pale vivid ruby colour. The nose is intense, revealing notes of vanilla, pollen, sour red cherries, a touch of cherry drupe, a hint of kirsch. The palate offers a bright, elevated acidity, elegant, slender body and smooth, slightly bitter tannins. The wine is packed with crunchy red fruits, mostly cherries and cranberries underlaid by herbal notes. The finish has a touch of bitterness. A very elegant Riserva!
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Castello della Paneretta
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
The wine shows a medium deep ruby colour with a garnet rim, slightly opaque. The nose is intense and audacious, showing a lot of smoky, meaty, animalistic notes, underlaid by nuances of noble wood, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. The second notes reveals a touch of menthol and eucalyptus. The wine is opening up in layers. The palate is a bit muted with bold, grippy, rather austere tannins. It mirrors the nose with notes of spices and wood supported by hints of dried cherries and aromatic herbs. The tannins dominate the finale. Slightly rustic. Score : 14.5/20 (88/100)
Castello della Paneretta Torre a Destra
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016
The wine shows a deep ruby colour. The nose is intense and heady with notes of cherry liqueur, cherry compote, dark chocolate, a touch of coffee, black tea and sweet tobacco. The palate is luscious and oaky with powerful, but round tannins and fine volume. The wine reveals notes of ripe black cherries, bramble, a touch of cloves, cigar box and star anise. The finish is seductive, with pleasant sweetness and smoothness. Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Fietri
Chianti Classico Riserva 2012
The wine shows a pale ruby colour with a brightening, garnet rim. The nose is perfumed and flattering, revealing notes of sweet tobacco, cinnamon, a touch of vanilla, cloves and nutmeg with a hint of sour cherries in the background. The second nose offers savoury nuances of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is vivid and juicy, not showing any fatigue. The flavours of red and black cherries intertwine with notes of milk chocolate, kirsch, a touch of strawberry confiture and sweet spices. The finish is delicate and elegant, supported by grainy, slightly sandy tannins.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Cinciano
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
The wine shows a pale ruby-garnet colour. The nose is dense, slightly meaty, revealing notes of ripe red and black cherries, raspberry confiture, dried herbs. The nose is a bit muted and needs aeration. On the palate the wine demonstrates power and some austerity, the tannins are bold, grippy and drying. The flavours on the palates echo the nose with savoury notes of garrigue, Mediterranean herbs, some irony minerality. The finish is lingering with a bitter, herbal note. Score : 14.5/20 (88/100)
Cinciano
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2017
The wine shows a medium ruby-garnet colour with a brightening rim. The nose is intense and perfumed, packed with notes of cherry wood, cherry compote, kirsch, a touch of furniture varnish, sweet spices and tobacco. The palate is juicy and exuberant, with nice fruit concentration balancing elevated alcohol and smooth, slightly drying tannins. Bright notes of crunchy red cherries are combined with nuances of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cigar box. The finish is succulent and vivid. Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
Savignola 360
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2017
The wine shows a medium ruby colour with garnet reflections, slightly opaque. The nose is intense, powerful, on a darker spectrum of berries. It reveals notes of ripe black cherries, blackberries, bramble underlaid by the nuances of sweet spices and noble wood. The palate is juicy, enveloping and oaky, with notes of crushed black berries, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and polished, sweet tannins. The finish lingers with spices and woody flavours.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
Savignola Paolina
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
The wine shows a light ruby colour. On the nose the notes of smoke and roasted meat are interlaced with nuances of roses, dried cherries, a touch of cranberries. The palate is aerial and elegant with well-balanced alcohol and smooth, velvety tannins. It reveals notes of dried red berries, hints of garrigue, some irony minerality. The finish is warming and relatively short.
Score : 14+/20 (87/100)
Monsanto Vigneto Il Poggio
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2017
The wine shows a pale ruby colour with a garnet rim. The nose is aromatic and fragrant, full of roses, meadow flowers, ripe red cherries and wild strawberries. The palate is juicy and vibrant with zesty acidity and slightly drying but polished tannins. It offers a lot of gourmandise and sapidity, revealing notes of fresh and dried red cherries, cranberries, a touch of Mediterranean herbs and flowers. The finish is elegant, succulent, inciting the next sip.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Fèlsina Colonia
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018
The wine shows a medium deep ruby colour with some garnet reflections. The nose is dense and perfumed, revealing notes of rose, geranium, incense, cherry liqueur, nuances of chocolate and smoke. The palate is vibrant and juicy, offering a lot of power as well as concentration and gourmandise. The wine opens up with notes of ripe red cherries, a touch of strawberries and raspberries, some cranberries and a delicate hint of pomegranate. The crisp acidity lifts up well the massive structure. The oak influence is evident, though really well built-in and adds to the overall complexity of the wine. A powerful wine with a dense, robust finish.
Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)
Valiano San Lazzaro
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018
(Organic) The wine shows a medium ruby colour, brightening on the rim. The nose is concentrated and heady, revealing notes of milk and dark chocolate, toffee, a touch of caramel, sweet spices. Opening up, it displays nuances of roses and violets, a touch of red plums and cherries. The palate is dense and powerful, with bold, grippy, grainy tannins that stick tightly to the gums. The wine shows a bit austere and tight with alcohol and tannins dominating the palate. It needs time to settle. The finish is warming, slightly bitter and herbal.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)