16
Sep
2024
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

Chianti Lovers is a tasting with a ton of wines to try. I will admit I did not get to them all. This year I did a 50-wine sampling from a variety of regions and levels. The good news is the 35 of the 50 made the report … That’s effectively a 70% rate of getting a good wine (at the minimum) in your glass; and when it comes to wine I’ll take those odds any day.
I applied my Good, Better, Best approach to the Chianti Lovers this year – and instead of separating the wines into their categories I put them in alphabetical order by way of producer. Also, any wine that received BEST or BETTER has a note as to why I believe it deserves that score.
The Wines
Alberto Motta 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva
Nice mix of fruit and functionality - acidity and tannins help clean up the finish. (BETTER)
Bonacchi 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD
Bruni 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Cantina La Selva 2023 Morellino di Scansano DOCG ... GOOD
Cantina La Selva 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Cantina Vignaioli Scansano 2023 Morellino di Scansano DOCG "Roggiano" 
I like this vineyard - there is some freshness and some fruit here that plays with wood and tannins - acidity cleans things out. (BETTER)
Cantina Vignaioli Scansano 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva "Roggiano"
Good acidity with some dark fruit and spice notes. (BETTER)
Castello Sonnino 2022 Chianti Montespertoli DOCG
The acidity shines through, then in comes the fruit, then the subtle bite of tannins. Give this a few years and opala! (BETTER)
Colognole 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD
Fattoria di Doccia 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG
Black cherry and a touch of smoke, juicy middle - nice finish - should sit in a cellar for a few years easily. (BETTER)
Fattoria Fibbiano 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD
Fattoria Lavacchio 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD
Fattoria San Michaele a Torri 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Fattoria Torre a Cona 2022 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG ... GOOD
Fattoria Torre a Cona 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva "Terre di Cino"
A bit of bitter at the beginning, but then the fruit kicks in on the finish - quite interesting. (BETTER)
Fattoria Uccelliera 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD
Fattoria Uccelliera 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD
Malenchini 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva
Blackberry, cassis and subtle cedar notes - there's good acidity that makes the fruit more playful. (BETTER)
Mantellassi 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Marchesi Gondi 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD
Marchesi Gondi 2021 Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Marzocco di Poppiano 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Piccini 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG ... GOOD
Piccini 2023 Chianti DOCG 
Very juicy - lots of fruit. (BETTER)
Piccini 2023 Chianti DOCG Governo all'uso Toscana
A little richer in the mouth, with nice tannin bite - but not jammy. (BETTER)
Poggio Bonelli 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD
Poggio Salvi 2023 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
Nice fruit tannin combo - should stand up for half a dozen years-plus. (BETTER)
Ruffino 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD
Salcheto 2023 Chianti DOCG ... GOOD
San Gregorio 2023 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG ... GOOD
Tenuta San Vito 2021 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Val Delle Rose - Tenute Della Famiglia Cecchi 2021 Morellino di Scansano DOCG Riserva ... GOOD
Villa Saletta 2022 Chianti Superiore DOCG
Juicy and approachable - lots of nice fruit start to finish. (BEST)
Villa Travignoli 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG ... GOOD
Villa Travignoli 2022 Chianti Rufina DOCG "Governo all'uso Toscano"
A juicy black and red filled joy on the tongue, with just enough grit of tannins and nice acidity. (BETTER)
12
Sep
2024
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
The Altra Toscana tasting is all the other wines that don’t fit into the bag of Chianti or Vino Nobile. Lots of wines to taste so one needs to be selective about what ones wants to taste; here I did not keep track of the number of wines tasted only the wines that made this report. Some of the most exciting wines of this tasting come from Vino Toscana, the newest of these “regions” and one that was introduced last year here.
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I applied my Good, Better, Best approach to the Chianti Lovers this year – and instead of separating the wines into their categories I put them in alphabetical order by way of producer. Also, any wine that received BEST or BETTER has a note why I believe it deserves that score.
The Wines
Consorzio Chianti Rufina
Fattoria Il Capitano 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Poggio Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Fattoria Selvapiana 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Erchi Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) Where fruit and acidity meet and have a party in the mouth. (BETTER)
Frascole 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna alla Stele Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Grignano Tenuta Inghirami 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Montefiesole Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) Strawberry and cherry meet acidity - this is a tasty little wine. (BETTER)
I Veroni 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Quona Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) This one delivers at every level: fruit, tannins, acidity. Really playful on the palate, shows potential for longevity. (BEST)
Tenuta Bossi, Marchesi Gondi 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Poggio Diamante Terraelectae 
(Sangiovese) The tannins are subtle and almost sweet in nature adding to the cherry core of this wine. (BEST)
Villa Travignoli 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigna Colonneto Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) Dark fruit with notes of licorice, cassis and cedar. (BETTER)
Vinae Montae 2020 Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG - Vigneto Il Monte Terraelectae
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Consorzio Suvereto Val di Cornia
Tua Rita 2021 Toscana Sangiovese IGT - Perlato del Bosco Rosso
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana
Belguardo 2020 Maremma Toscana Rosso Riserva DOC - Tenuta Belguardo
- Cabernet Sauviignon (85%) / Cabernet Franc (15%) -
Nice elegant mocha, blackberry, cassis and smoke - finishes with a lovely dark fruit backbone. (BETTER)
Le Mortelle 2022 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Botrosecco
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Carmenere - ... GOOD
Le Mortelle 2021 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Poggio alle Nane 
- Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon -
Lush and full of dark fruit mixed with other appealing notes: chocolate and black cherry, black raspberry and smoke all backed with some nice spices. (BETTER)
Nittardi 2021 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Ad Astra
- Sangiovese (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) / Merlot (20%) / Cabernet Franc (10%) -
Juicy of fruit with a good amount of spice and acidity. (BETTER)
Querciabella 2022 Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC - Mongrana
- Sangiovese (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) / Merlot (25%) - ... GOOD
Sassotondo 2022 Maremma Toscana Ciliegiolo DOC - Vigna Monte Calvo
- Ciliegiolo - ... GOOD
Consorzio Valdarno di Sopra
Il Carnasciale 2021 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese DOC - Ottantadue
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Consorzio Vini Terre di Pisa
Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio 2021 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Le Colline
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Massima Felicita'
- Sangiovese (70%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) - ... GOOD
Badia di Morrona 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Vignaalta
(Sangiovese)
Anise and balsamic strawberries ... nice hint of herbal adds character. (BETTER)
Beconcini Winery 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Reciso
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Beconcini Winery 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Maurleo
(Sangiovese / Malvasia Nera / Colorino) ... GOOD
Fattoria Fibbiano 2021 Toscacna Ciliegiolo IGT
(Ciliegiolo)
Very black cherry from nose to palate. (BETTER)
Fattoria Fibbiano 2020 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Ceppatella
(Sangiovese)
Lovely fruit and subtle acidity, this is a tasty wine - pure and purposeful. (BEST)
Fattoria Uccelliera 2022 Toscana Rosso Governo all'Uso Toscano IGT - Poggio alla Pietra
- Sangiovese (80%) / Alicante Bouchet (20%) - ... GOOD
Fattoria Varramista 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Frasca
- Syrah (50%) / Merlot (50%) -
Dark fruit and white pepper - very drinkable. (BETTER)
Fattoria Varramista 2017 Toscana Rosso IGT - Varramista 
(Syrah)
Clean, yet spicy with a good balance of nice acidity - pretty and elegant. (BETTER)
I Giusti e Zanza 2020 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Dulcamara
- Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) / Merlot (25%) / Petit Verdot (5%) - ... GOOD
Le Palaie 2022 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Gatta Ci Cova
- Sangiovese (60%) / Merlot (40%) - ... GOOD
Le Palaie 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Sagrestano
- Sangiovese / Alicante - ... GOOD
Le Palaie 2021 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Bulizio
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Petit Verdot - ... GOOD
Marina Romin 2021 Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC - Turseno
(Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Marina Romin 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Boccanera
- Sangiovese (70%) / Foglia Tonda (30%) - ... GOOD
Podere La Chiesa 2021 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Le Redole di Casanova
- Sangiovese (80%) / Canaiolo (20%) - ... GOOD
Podere La Chiesa 2020 Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC - Sabiniano di Casanova
- Sangiovese (70%) / Merlot (15%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) - ... GOOD
Podere Pellicciano 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Tricche
- Sangiovese (70%) / Malvasia Nera (20%) / Colorino (10%) - ... GOOD
Podere Pellicciano 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Prato della Rocca
(Four Grape varieties) ... GOOD
Tenuta Di Ghizzano 2020 Costa Toscana Rosso IGT - Nambrot 
- Merlot (60%) / Cabernet Franc (20%) / Petit Verdot (20%) -
Dark fruit with elements of spice and good acidity. (BETTER)
Consorzio Vino Toscana IGT
Banfi 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Cum Laude
- Sangiovese (30%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) / Merlot (30%) / Syrah (10%) -
Deep plum, black cherry, mocha cream, well-spiced. Juicy palate. (BETTER)
Banfi 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Summus
- Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) / Sangiovese (33%) / Syrah (7%) -
Really lovely plump fruit - good spice - well-balanced - a fine drink. (BEST)
Castello di Fonterutoli 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Concerto di Fonterutoli
- Sangiovese (80%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) - ... GOOD
Castello di Gabbiano 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Colorino
(Colorino)
Straight Colorino that's quite nice, juicy and spicy - acidity and tannins are on point - a unique grape that delivers. (BETTER)
Col D'Orcia 2018 Toscana Rosso IGT - Olmaia
(Cabernet Sauvignon) ... GOOD
Col D'Orcia 2019 Toscana Rosso IGT - Nearco
- Merlot / Syrah / Petit Verdot -
Juicy and spicy notes, good tannin bite and some dark fruit character. (BETTER)
Marchesi Antinori 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Villa Antinori
(Sangiovese / Cabernet) ... GOOD
Marchesi Frescobaldi 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Giramonte
(Merlot / Sangiovese) ... GOOD
Marchesi Frescobaldi 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Mormoreto
(Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc / Sangiovese / Petit Verdot)
Earthy, red currants, spice, mocha, well-balanced. (BETTER)
Ruffino 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Modus
- Merlot (46%) / Sangiovese (31%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) - ... GOOD
Ruffino 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Alauda
Cabernet Franc (47%) / Merlot (41%) / Colorino (12%)
Mocha cherry and blackberry, a little herbal and little spice - with a lot of taste. (BETTER)
Salcheto 2020 Toscana Rosso IGT - Obvius Rosso
(Sangiovese)
Light and full of acidity, good food wine with lots of umph. (BETTER)
Tenuta Buon Tempo 2022 Toscana Rosso IGT - La Furba
(Sangiovese)
Light and flavourful, quite interesting: juicy and almost Gamay-esque. (BETTER)
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Oreno
- Merlot (50%) / Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) / Petit Verdot (10%) - ... GOOD
Tenuta Sette Ponti - 2021 Toscana Rosso IGT - Crognolo
- Sangiovese (90%) / Merlot (10%) -
This one will need a few years, but there is a nice fruit core that leads to some spicy nuances and firm tannins. (BETTER)