On the Road with the Grape Guy
Chianti Classico - Step 1 : Chianti Classico
21 Jul 2023- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(February 2023) ... This might be the bottom rung on the ladder, but this is the calling card of the region, so you better be able to make a good one. I focused much of my days on step two and three on the ladder (Riserva & Gran Selezione), but I did want to get a look at the basics to get an idea about the vintage. My notes capture an array of wines from the years 2018 to 2021 with the top scoring wines being from '20 and '21.
There were also some barrel samples that I scored for potential: Good / Better / Best. In all, 68 Chianti Classicos were tasted ... not all wines have notes.
TOP TIER Wines
Brancaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
A nice wine with good structure and elegance, lots of darker fruit - a pleasant weekend wine ... (****)
Fontodi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG - Filetta di Lamole
Really nice juicy red fruit and dusty tannins; balanced off with a lovely acidity ... (****)
Rocca delle Macie 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Raspberry and cherry lead this off - it's fresh with good cleansing acidity; ready for the next bite? ... (****)
THREE-and-a-HALF PLUS Star Wines
Banfi 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
--- Easy drinking with good acidity, nice red fruit, and delicate on the tongue
Cantalici 2018 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello Vicciomaggio 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Guado Alto
--- Fragrant with red fruit and hints of cigar box on the finish
Fattoria Le Fonti 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
--- Dark chocolate cherries - need I say more?
Fattoria Santo Stefano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG - Santo Stefano
Tenuta Villa Trasqua 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG - Villa Trasqua
Terre di Melazzano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG - Chiandre
Tolani 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Vallenuova
--- Light and fresh, red fruit dominates: cherry and raspberry with balancing acidity
Torcilacqua 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG
THREE-and-a-HALF Star Wines
Badia a Coltibuono 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG
Borgo la Stella 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Ama 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Ama
Castello di Gabbiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Volpaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Volpaia
Collazzi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG - I Bastioni
Fattoria Le Masse 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG - Le Masse
Losi Querciavalle 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG - Querciavalle
Monteraponi 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Ricasoli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Brolio
San Felice 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
--- Dark and flavourful with a nice punch on the finish
UNFINISHED WINES
Castello di Monsanto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG ... (Better)
Teniuta di Arceno 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG ... (Better)
Caparsa 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG ... (Good)
Collazzi 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - I Bastioni ... (Good)
Gagliole 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Rubiolo ... (Good)
Le Filigare 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG - Filigare ... (Good)
