This year should be remembered, in part, as the year that finally has laid to rest the 'straw basket' poor press that has haunted the Chianti Classico region for years.
Chianti Classico has outclassed all the wine regions in Italy In the most important wine journals throughout the world (with the exception of Barolo in the Langhe).
Even the great Brunello di Montalcino plays "second fiddle" to its near neighbour Chianti Classico. Although opinions change from year to year, the point has been made.
This year I have concentrated my tastings on Chianti Classico 2017 and 2018 vintages.
Both these vintages were challenging for the winemaker as weather patterns proved arduous for a host of reasons. Nevertheless, some outstanding wines were made mainly thanks to the expertise of the winemakers involved.
Weather Report 2018
Two words can sum up that weather year: uneven and changeable.
The vintage lacked a sustainable dry, sunny period until September. Some heavy rain spells prevailed throughout the summer. The Sangiovese harvest started 20th September and ended mid to late October. Wineries that picked late benefited the most.
Weather Report 2017
This year was exasperating for winegrowers, one of the driest years in recent decades. With rain only in late February and March and few precipitations from May onwards. This was accompanied by temperatures constantly above seasonal average with high peaks during July and August.
Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
Badia a Coltibuono
Bright ruby red in colour. Medium body, tight, subtle. Black cherry fruit, faint violet notes, black tea. Needs to put on some weight.
Points 89-90 TW
Brancaia
Mid ruby red in colour. Sour cherry, youthful, tense tannins, tobacco ,sage.
Not giving out much.
Points 89-90 TW
Carpineto
Medium ruby red in colour. Red cherry, herbs. Good acidity, floral, hint of graphite, youthful.
Points 90 TW
Casa Emma
Red ruby in colour. Medium body. Rich red fruit. Fine tannins, natural contours. Shows promise.
Points 90-92 TW
Castagnoli
Bright garnet with purple hue in colour. Fresh cherry fruit, mid weight. Structured. Finely grained tannins. Savoury.
Points 91+ TW
Castellare di Castellina
Pale ruby red in colour. Red fruit, faint floral aromatics. Fresh. Needs time to flush out.
Points 90-92 TW
Castello di Ama
Medium ruby red in colour, beneath a fragrant canopy rich cherry fruit, pomegranate, raspberry, vanilla, kirsch. Lots going on here, broad and agile mid palate. Freshness with a very persistent finish
Points 93+ TW
Castello di Meloto
Deep ruby red in colour. Pleasing mixture of wild cherry and rose petal. Warm, inviting, well extracted.
Points 91+ TW
Castello di Monsanto
Bright garnet in colour. Cherry, kirsch, orange peel. Rich tones on the palate. Briny notes. Seamless with textural depth.
Points 93-95 TW
Castello di Querceto
Ruby red in colour. Cherry, blackberry. Iris floral notes, cinnamon. Thick but not aggressive tannins. Interesting.
Points 91-93 TW
Castello di Volpaia
Bright ruby red with purple hints. Fresh cut spring flowers. Silky tannins encircle sour cherry and blackberry. Textural depth. Very persistent intense finish. A winner in my book.
Points 93-95 TW
Castello Vicchiomaggio - Guado Alto
Deep ruby red in colour. Sweet red cherry, orange peel, mint, eastern spice. Breadth of flavour. Finely grained tannins.
Points 92-93 TW
Fattoria Carpineta Fontaplino - Dofano
Garnet in colour. Sweet black cherry, exotic spice, liquorice. Striking character, boisterous and super expressive. Great balance.
Points 93+ TW
Fattoria Carpineta Fontaplino - Montaperto
Medium ruby red in colour. Black cherry, blackberry, blood orange, faint eastern spice. Has considerable appeal
Points 93-94 TW
Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano
Deep ruby red in colour. Medium body. Wild cherry, kirsch, vanilla. Understated finesse. Bright and linear.
Points 92-93 TW
Felsina Beradenga
Bright garnet in colour. Black cherry, orange peel. Youthful, lacks energy. Comes up a bit short.
Points 89-90 TW
Gagliole Rubiolo
Pale garnet in colour. Cherry and raspberry, vanilla, liquorice, leather. Focussed. Plump and juicy.
Points 91- 93 TW
I Fabbri Lamole
Rich ruby red in colour. Black cherry, blue floral notes. Mid weight, nervous style. Fresh tannins. Good finish.
Points 90-92 TW
Isole e Olena
Pale garnet in colour. Fresh sweet red cherry, blood orange, refined floral notes. Seamless and unwavering linearity. Acidity that broadswords its way to an energetic long finish. Exudes class.
Points 95-97 TW
Le Miccine
Medium ruby red in colour. Red cherry and raspberry fruit. Sweet tobacco. Vivid, well crafted. Good length.
Points 91-92 TW
Monteraponi
Deep ruby red in colour. Red cherry, blackberry, liquorice. Soft curves. Broad mid palate. Stunning energy. Alluring
Points 92-94 TW
Panzanello
Rich deep ruby red in colour. Basketful of red fruits. Great energy, plenty to say for itself. Bold and super expressive.
Points 92-94 TW
Podere Poggio Scalette
Pale garnet in colour. Medium body. Nervous, not showing well.
Points 85 TW
Riecine
Med ruby red in colour. Wild cherry. Mid weight, soft contours. Layered, succulent. Floats on the palate. Broad long finish.
Points 93-95 TW
Rocca delle Macie Famigla Zingarelli
Bright garnet in colour. Sour cherry. Tannic bite. Austere. Briny notes.
Points 88 TW
Rocca Di Castagnoli
Ruby red in colour. Medium body. Black cherry. Restrained palate, a hint of alcohol warmth.
Points 89 TW
Rocca di Montegrossi
Ruby red in colour. Rich fresh red cherry saturates the palate with depth and volume. Great balance, fine tannins play harmoniously with fresh acidity. Energetic finish.
Points 93-95 TW
San Felice
Bright ruby red in colour. Sour cherry, kirsch. A little light...needs weight to carry through.
Points 87 TW
Tenuta Di Arceno
Deep ruby red in colour. Red fruit. Austere and non forgiving palate.
Points 85 TW
Terra di Seta
Ruby red in colour. Black cherry, tobacco. Slightly drying tannins. Lacks acidity, falls away from mid palate.
Points 87 TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2017
Casaloste
Medium ruby red in colour. Fresh red cherry, bitter orange peel. Powerful. Muscular and yet agile. Super expressive. Distinctive style.
Points 92+ TW
Castello di Albola
Ruby red in colour. Med to full bodied. Red cherry, savoury and earthy. Focussed, good minerality.
Points 92 TW
Castello di Radda
Deep ruby red in colour. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, leather, dry roasted herbs. Forward tannins but will soften due to great acidity. Well crafted.
Points 93 TW
Castello di Varrazzano
Deep garnet in colour with purple hue. Sour cherry. Suffering from water stress, not holding together.
Points 85 TW
Cinciano
Deep ruby red in colour. Fresh red fruits, liquorice, spice, sweet tobacco. Broad mid palate. Deceptively charming. Energetic finish.
Points 92-94 TW
Conti Capponi - Villa Calcinaia
Deep ruby red in colour. Dark red cherry, plum, slate, tobacco. Well extracted. Finely sculpted. Loads of work done here. Difficult vintage. Great result.
Points 92-94 TW
Dievole
Bright ruby red in colour. Fresh red cherry, orange peel, savoury, herbs, earthy. Refreshing acidity. Saline infused energy.
Points 92-94 TW
Fontodi Filetta di Lamole
Garnet in colour. Red cherry, kirsch. Layered youthful intensity. Agile and good length.
Points 92-93 TW
Fontodi
Red ruby in colour. Fresher cherry, pomegranate, liquorice. Agile. Great weight, hits the right notes.
Points 93-95 TW
Il Sodi
Ruby red in colour,. Wild cherry, raspberry, orange peel. Hint of alcohol warmth. Muscular but agile.
Points 90-92 TW
Il Molino di Grace
Deep ruby red in colour. Fresh red fruit, subtle aromatics. Balanced. Superb intensity. Terrific persistence.
Points 92-94 TW
Isole e Olena
Ruby red in colour. Fresh red fruit, liquorice, dry leather, graphite, dried sage. Terroir driven.Youthful with tense tannins. Needs time.
Points 92-94 TW
Istine
Intense garnet in colour. Sweet black cherry, kirsch, vanilla, red liquorice. Freshness with energy. Slightly exotic. Super intensity.
Points 92-94 TW
Lamole di Lamole
Ruby red in colour. Red cherry, plum, liquorice, leather. Considerable appeal, has clarity and precision.
Points 93-95 TW
Poggerino
Bright ruby red in colour. Red cherry, raspberry, blood orange. Racy from the start. Evolving wine.
Points 91-93 TW
Querciabella
Pale garnet in colour. Red fruits, dusty, a little vegetal, sour notes, not a great showing.
This estate is far better than this.
Points 86 TW
Rocca di Montegrossi
Deep ruby red in colour. Good red fresh fruit. Has energy and drive, still with broad swaths of tannin.
Points 92+ TW
Tenuta di Lilliano
Deep bright ruby red in colour. Dark red cherry, liquorice, slate. Superb intensity, warmth and spice on the back end.
Points 91-93 TW
Vallepicciola
Bright ruby red in colour. Beautiful fresh red fruits play with violet and iris floral notes, followed by black soft liquorice. Vibrant layered intensity. Amazing for the vintage.
Points 93-95 TW
Vecchie Terre di Montefili
Deep ruby red in colour. Sweet red cherry, liquorice, savoury, wet earth, citrus aftertaste.
Points 90-92 TW
Vignamaggio - Terre di Prenzano
Pale ruby red in colour. Soft red cherry, grilled herbs. Fresh acidity, linear.
Points 90-92 TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2015
Castell’ in Villa
Bright garnet in colour. Sour cherry, orange peel. Tannic bite, opens up on mid palate, shows enormous potential. Built for a long cellar life.
Points 92-94+ TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG RISERVA 2017
Castello di Volpaia
Bright ruby red in colour. Black cherry and raspberry fruit. Mid weight. Breadth of flavour, tension and yet suppleness. Great effort made here.
Points 92-94 TW
Felsina Rancia
Medium ruby red in colour. Red cherry, pomegranate, mint. Well extracted, muscular and agile. Fine tannins, great acidity. Terrific persistence.
Points 92-94 TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG RISERVA 2016
Casaloste
Bright ruby red in colour. Red cherry, orange peel, cedar, sweet tobacco. Plushness with silky tannins help up with rapier acidity and minerality.
Points 93-95 TW
Castello Di Albola
Pale garnet in colour. Medium body, sweet red cherry, liquorice, dried herbs. Delicate yet precise. Stunning energy.
Points 93-95 TW
Castello di Monsanto
Deep ruby red in colour. Wild cherry, pomegranate, slate, liquorice. Plush tannins. Exudes class,. Saturates the palate with breath and volume. Wow.
Points 94-96 TW
Gagliole - Gallule
Bright ruby red in colour. Fresh red fruits, lead pencil, liquorice, burnt orange peel. Wonderful balance, finely sculpted. Terrific energy in the glass. Needs time.
Points 94+ TW
Panzanello
Deep ruby red in colour. Black cherry, vivid, savoury. Still tight.
Points 92 TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2017
Castello di Ama San Lorenzo
Deep ruby red in colour. Red cherry, orange peel, red liquorice. Unusual nuance and delineation, comes up a little short on the back end.
Points 92 TW
Castello di Volpaia - Coltassala
Med red ruby in colour. Red cherry, raspberry, refined floral notes, faint menthol, red rose petal. A lot going on here.
Points 93 TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2016
Castello di Albola - Santa Caterina
Pale ruby red in colour. Red cherry. Restrained palate. Not a good bottle.
Tasted twice previously - stunning
Points 95 TW
Castello di Verrazzano - Sassello
Dark ruby red in colour. Sweet red cherry, liquorice, leather, mint. Pleasant progression with fine tannins. Showing well.
Points 92+ TW
Felsina - Colonia
Ruby red in colour. Red cherry, kirsch, vanilla, raspberry. Silky tannins, stunning textural richness. Super expressive, considerable appeal.
Points 96+ TW
Principe Corsini - Villa Le Conti Don Tommaso
Bright ruby red in colour with purple hue. Sweet red cherry, red plum, Iris floral, mint fragrance. Finesse and poise. Refreshing acidity. Alluring.
Points 94 TW
Principe Corsini - Villa Le Conti -Zac
Deep ruby red in colour. Wild cherry, blood orange, red liquorice, dried mint, sweet tobacco. Tannins dissolve into the wine. Harmony.
Points 93+ TW
Vecchie Terre di Montefili Vigna Vecchia
Deep garnet red in colour. Red cherry, liquorice, vanilla, intense aromatic wood. Medium bodied, has energy and tension on the finish.
Points 94+ TW
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2015
Castello di Monsanto - Vigna Il Poggio
Bright garnet in colour. Black cherry, liquorice, slate, grilled herbs. Saline infused energy. Linear, layered. The longer you leave this the bigger the reward.
Points 95 TW
Rocca di Montegrossi - Vigneto San Marcelino
Deep bright ruby red in colour. Fresh red cherry, orange peel, raspberry, soft red liquorice. Fruit quality off the charts. Floats on the palate. Tons of energy. Clarity and precision.
Points 96 TW
“The Wine” of the Chianti Classico Collection 2020
Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione 2016 DOCG
Deep ruby red in colour. Wild cherry, liquorice, orange peel, violet florals. Stunning energy. Saturates the palate, totally sensual. Seamless and unwavering.
Best here since 2004.
Points 99 TW
Congratulating Giovanni Manetti President of the Consorzio Chianti Classico and owner-winemaker of Fontodi for producing the extraordinary Vigna Del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico for their kind invitation to Firenze to taste this year’s wines at Chianti Classico Collection 2020
TW 2020
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