Discover our list with photos, description and tasting of the 20 best Chianti Classico recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri. From the most famous wines to the lesser known ones of the best wineries.
Discover also the articles dedicated to the best Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Bolgheri, Morellino di Scansano and the best Tuscan wines.
INDEX
- Chianti Classico
- Chianti Classico Vintages
- Best Chianti Classico
- Artisanal & Natural Wines of Chianti
Chianti Classico – Regulations and Types
Chianti Classico, distinguished by the iconic black rooster brand, is one of the best Italian red wines, one of the best known and most appreciated all over the world.
It is a DOCG wine from Tuscany produced in about 7,200 hectares of vineyards between the provinces of Florence and Siena. Chianti Classico is produced from Sangiovese grapes (from 80% to 100%), to which traditional varieties such as Canaiolo, Colorino, or international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are commonly added.
There are three different types: Chianti Classico vintage, (younger version) Chianti Classico Riserva (with prolonged aging) and Chianti Classico Great Selection (flagship of the cellars, produced with the most selected grapes and with a minimum aging of 30 months) .
Best Chianti Classico vintages
Discover the ranking of the best vintages of Chianti Classico from 1995 to today with the star rating. To learn more, consult the article dedicated to the best vintages of Chianti Classico, you will find the climatic trends in detail.
1996✭✭✭✭
1997✭✭✭✭1/2
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1999✭✭✭✭✭
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2001✭✭✭✭✭
2002✭✭
2003✭✭✭✭
2004✭✭✭✭✭
2005✭✭✭/1/2
2006✭✭✭✭✭
2007✭✭✭✭
2008✭✭✭✭✭
2009✭✭✭✭
2010✭✭✭✭
2011✭✭✭✭
2012✭✭✭✭1/2
2013✭✭✭✭✭
2014✭✭✭
2015✭✭✭✭✭
2016✭✭✭✭✭
2017✭✭✭ 1/2
2018✭✭✭✭
2019✭✭✭✭✭
Best Chianti Classico recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
Which are the best Chianti Classico?
Let’s find out the updated list of the 20 best Chianti Classico with photos and characteristics so that everyone can find the best wineries that produce Chianti Classico suited to their tastes.
To discover other excellences and the best Chianti Classico producers, search our archive with in-depth articles on producers.
Ceniprimo 2019 – Ricasoli
Passionate with incisive notes of wild strawberries, raspberry and delicate woody, blood and leather notes.
On the palate it is broad and tumultuous, with a frontal tannin synergistically linked to a strong acidity that favors drinkability, a finish with delicate references to the fruit and spicy puffs. Extraordinarily persistent finish.
From the iconic cellar symbol of the history of Chianti Classico: One of the best Chianti Classicos to choose for its ability to reconcile finesse and length and power on the palate. Sensational aging potential.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
Coltassala 2019 – Castello di Volpaia
A madeleineof nuanced olfactory echoes ranging from wild raspberry, nuances of leather, cloves and medicinal herbs, embellished with a bloody and blood orange finish.
On the palate it presses with a silky tannic texture synergistically linked to an acidity of extraordinary strength that gives freshness. It opens up for a balsamic finish, of imperishable persistence.
Organic wine obtained from the historic homonymous vineyard located at about 500 m a.s.l. on calcareous soils. After fermentation, Coltassala ages for 24 months in French oak barrels and 6 months in bottle before being put on the market.
The Coltassala of Castello di Volpaia is a benchmark among the best Chianti Classico with an elegant and harmonious character.
Grapes: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Mammolo
Sub-area: Radda in Chianti
Vigna il Capannino 2019 – Bibbiano
On the nose, Bibbiano’s Vigna il Capannino 2019 has a pleasant aromatic intensity, in which the notes of blood orange blend with the hints of tobacco and sweet spices.
On the palate, the sip is round and enveloping, with a well-structured tannic texture and a balanced alcoholic component.
Good length finish, in which well integrated light woody notes emerge.
The wine, made only in the best vintages, is obtained from the vineyard of the same name which overlooks Monteriggioni. Maturation is 24 months, partly in cement and partly in French oak tonneaux and Slavonian oak barrels followed by at least 6 months in the bottle.
Grapes: 100 Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Castellina in Chianti
Riserva 2019 – Castel in Villa
The nose is captivated by fragrant notes of black cherry and citrus nuances, which are accompanied by hints of tobacco, nipitella and sweet spices.
On the palate the sip is decisive, with a material and enveloping phenolic component that creates synergy with the alcoholic and acidic one, giving life to a complex and balanced wine of great presence. Final of imperishable persistence in which clear varietal notes and aromatic herbs resurface.
Fermentation is carried out in steel by indigenous yeasts and the wine ages for 36 months in large oak barrels followed by at least 12 months in the bottle.
Grapes: 100 Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Castelnuovo Berardenga
La Badiola 2019 – Castello di Fonterutoli
It opens in a riot of cranberries, blood orange followed by leather and delicate well-integrated woody nuances.
The sip is broad, with a phenolic component of good concentration and maturity but also vibrant thanks to a pressing acidity that gives freshness and pleasantness to the sip.
Aging for 16 months in 500 liter French oak tonneaux (30% new).
The Gran Selezione La Badiola of Castello di Fonterutoli, obtained from the vineyards located at 575 m a.s.l. on soils of sandstone and marl from Radda, it is undoubtedly among the best classic Chiantis for its ability to interpret Sangiovese in a refined and long-limbed key.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese: 3 clones + 3 company massal selections
Municipality: Radda in Chianti (Vigna la Badiola) – Cellar: Castellina in Chianti
Gran Selezione 2019 – Castello di Bossi
It opens in a riot of ripe dark berries that fade towards withered flowers, graphite and mentholated sensations. On the palate it spreads with soft tannins well balanced by the acid component that gives freshness and balance. Final of great persistence with echoes on fruity and spicy notes.
Fermentation takes place without the addition of selected yeasts with long macerations on the pomace at a controlled temperature with frequent gradual pumping over. The wine ages in tonneaux and wooden barrels for a minimum period of two years and then subsequently in steel tanks followed by refinement in the bottle for at least six months.
The Gran Selezione of Castello di Bossi is a strong wine, with sophisticated and multifaceted aromas and great cleanliness on the palate. Among the best Chianti Classico for taste-olfactory versatility.
Grapes: 100 Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena)
Torre a Destra 2018 – Castello della Paneretta
Description:
The Torre a Destra 2018 by Castello della Paneretta has an intense and penetrating olfactory bouquet in which the hints of blackberry and mulberry stand out accompanied by austere spicy woody notes alternating with graphite and goudron.
On the palate it is taut and voluminous, with a tannic texture of great impact supported by a pressing acidity that gives freshness and length to the sip. Overall harmonious in its hardness.
Fully among the best Chianti Classicos for interpretation of Sangiovese in a frank and uncompromising key. Great aging potential.
Municipality of the cellar: Barberino Tavarnelle
Vigna Contessa Lucia 2019 – Villa Calcinaia
The aromas spread intense, intriguing, varietal and nuanced ranging from wild raspberry, violet, humus followed by notes of cloves and roasting.
On the palate the sip is deep, voluminous and with an excellent balance between the phenolic component, alcohol and acidity.
The Vigna Contessa Lucia of Villa Calcinaia is one of the best Chianti Classicos for its freshness and taste-olfactory balance.
Balsamic finish of great length. Excellent aging potential.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Greve in Chianti (Florence)
Il Poggio 2018 – Castello di Monsanto
The impact is peremptory and unequivocal between incisive varietal floral aromas of violet, morello cherry and eucalyptus, followed by more assertive balsamic reminiscences and a well integrated côté boisé.
Fresh in the mouth, characterized by a powerful tannin that creates a very compelling dialectic tension with the acidity and sapidity, creating a unique and unpredictable ubi consistam.
The wine ages for 18 months in 38 hectoliter oak barrels.
The Poggio of the iconic Castello di Monsanto winery is to be counted among the best Chianti Classicos for its ability to interpret the classic Chianti style in an elegant and harmonious key. Great expression of typicality.
Grapes: 95% Sangiovese; 5% Canaiolo and Colorino
Municipality of the cellar: Barberino Tavernelle
Chianti Classico ‘Colonia’ 2019 – Fèlsina
The nose convinces us with intriguing notes of dark berries, violets and irises that mix with austere toasted nuances and sweet spices. On the palate it is dense and enveloping, the tannic texture is material and supported by a sinewy acidity. Harmonious finish with good persistence.
The wine is made from grapes obtained from the top of the Rancia vineyard, at about 500 m a.s.l. In March-April, the new wine is transferred to new French oak barriques and after more than 30 months of maturation, it is blended, followed by at least 8-12 months in the bottle.
The beating heart of Chianti Classico: Felsina seduces us with an intense wine of great character, a representation of complexity with a modern style. Fully among the best Chianti Classico for taste-olfactory complexity.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Sub-area: Castelnuovo Berardenga
Sergio Zingarelli 2019 – Rocca delle Macie
Characteristics: Smell initially played on notes of black cherry, violet, blood orange embellished with more enigmatic hints of wild catmint and humus. On the palate it is voluminous and warm, with well-defined and compact tannins and great acidity which gives it smoothness.
Refined and complex: with an interesting iodized sapidity and inexhaustible persistence in which the undisputed protagonist of the varietal character of Sangiovese resurfaces in its unmistakable power but also freshness.
Aging in small 25 Hl French oak barrels Troncais for 18 months followed by a permanence in the bottle for at least 20 months.
Sergio Zingarelli 2019 by Rocca delle Macie is among the best Chianti Classicos for its ability to combine richness and drinkability.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Castellina in Chianti (Siena)
La Corte 2020 – Castello di Querceto
Characteristics:
Olfactory opens on intense notes of violet, cherry which blend with sensations of coffee powder, leather and tobacco.
On the palate it flows fresh and sinuous, well balanced.
La Corte di Castello di Querceto is one of the best Chianti Classicos for enveloping and balanced: The very clear fruit stands out, embellished with perfectly integrated tertiary notes.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Greve in Chianti(Florence)
Gallule 2019 – Gagliole
Characteristics:
Stratified sensations on clear hints of plum and blackberry to which suggestions of vanilla and blood reminiscences, licorice and graphite are added.
The sip is smooth with a well-defined tannic texture which is counterbalanced by a pleasant mineral sapidity which gives structure and breadth to the palate.
Fresh wine with a pressing tannin: great territorial identity. Among the best expressions of Chianti Classico from Panzano in Chianti, to be chosen by those who love an interpretation that expresses finesse rather than power. Interesting value for money.
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Municipality of the cellar: Panzano in Chianti
Gran Selezione 2019 – Brancaia
A kaleidoscope of fragrant suggestions ranging from wild raspberry, violet, blood orange flanked by medicinal herbs and a delicately woody finish.
On the palate it is broad and enveloping, supported by a backbone acidity that gives freshness and drinkability.
The Chianti Gran Selezione di Brancaia is the new 100% Sangiovese di Brancaia label that fascinates for its balance between the alcoholic, phenolic and acidity components. Great premises for aging potential. The wine ages for 18 monthsin French oak tonneaux, is perfected with a further 3 months incement tanks and with at least 12 months in the bottle.
Without any doubt among the best Chianti Classicos for overall balance.
Municipality of the cellar: Radda in Chianti (Siena)
Argenina 2018 – Podere Palazzino
Description:
On the nose, Podere Palazzino’s Argenina 2018 conquers with its spicy notes of black pepper and cloves that blend with the hints of violet and sour cherries.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and round, with a well-present tannic texture and a good alcoholic component that gives it warmth.
Long and persistent finish, characterized by pleasant incipient tertiary notes.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti
Gran Selezione 2018 – Renzo Marinai
Description:
The Renzo Marinai Gran Selezione 2018 is striking for its aromatic intensity, in which notes of small red fruits and sweet spices blend with more complex hints of leather and licorice and medicinal herbs.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with good maturity phenolic matter, well present and an alcoholic component balanced with acidity.
Deservedly among the best Chianti Classicos for its sincere and artisanal character.
Municipality of the cellar: Panzano in Chianti
Chianti Classico Riserva – ‘Seretina’ 2019 – Monterotondo
The aromatic spectrum is interesting and incisive, in evidence black cherry and raspberry with bloody and sylvan suggestions of autumn forest and camphor.
The sip is penetrating with an exuberant acid shoulder and a vigorous tannin still slightly in the making.
An interpretation of Chianti Classico with a frank and sincere style whose deliberate and light asperities tell us about a wine that wants to preserve the eloquence of the terroir without compromise. Deservedly among the best Chianti Classico.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 – Fattoria di Pomona
Characteristics:The aromatic spectrum is seductive and outlines nuances of ripe cherry and wild raspberry to make room for woody and tar tones.
On the palate it is voluminous, with a thick tannic texture well outlined and synergistically linked to an acidity that creates dialectic and rhythm.
Excellent persistence with aftertaste echoes on the fruit and spices.
An unmissable wine: a riot of perfumes and skilfully integrated tertiary notes. It is dutiful to include it among the best Chianti Classicos with an authentic and artisanal character.
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with only indigenous yeasts in steel tanks and aging in 20 hl Slavonian barrels.
Municipality of the cellar: Castellina in Chianti (Siena)
Chianti Classico 2019 – Montefili
Characteristics:
It reveals the fresh and fruity aromas of ripe blackberries and cherries combined with bloody notes and spicy echoes. The sip is clear and flowing, well balanced between smooth tannins and sapidity.
Vigna Vecchia di Montefili is a slender and vibrant wine, of great depth and olfactory expressiveness. Excellent versatility in food pairing. Deservedly among the best Chianti Classico wines for the transparency of the varietal identity of the Sangiovese which emerges sincerely without make-up. Interesting value for money.
Municipality of the cellar: Panzano in Chianti – Greve in Chianti (Florence)
Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 – Capannelle
The olfactory picture opens fragrant between small red fruits, blood orange followed by well integrated gentle spices. On the palate it spreads savory and long with silky tannins synergistically linked to a lively acidity that gives freshness and balance.
Capannelle’s Chianti Classico Riserva is certainly among the best Chianti Classicos for its ability to elegantly interpret the varietal character of Sangiovese:
An engaging wine, with an expansive and eloquent nose. To be considered among the best Chianti Classicos for olfactory expressiveness.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti (Florence)
Chianti Classico Riserva 2017 – Badia a Coltibuono
Characteristics: It opens delicately with complex notes of cherries in alcohol, then developing into nuances of undergrowth, goudron and cloves.
The palate confirms the sense of smell, with tannins of great compactness and silkiness and a finish of rare persistence.
The Chianti Classico of Badia a Coltibuiono is a maieutic wine: assertive detector of unexpressed truths.
Among the best Chianti Classico for authentic and traditional character.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
Riserva 2018 – Istine
It spreads captivating notes of black cherry, followed by a more austere character of goudron, black pepper and undergrowth. It stimulates the palate with silky tannins and good acidity which favors drinkability. Great sapidity and excellent persistence.
A savory and exciting wine with intact fruit of great intelligibility, embellished but not masked by the tertiary notes.
Fully among the best Chianti Classico Gran Selezione for identity and sincerity.
Municipality of the cellar: Radda in Chianti (Siena)
Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 – Val delle Corti
Description:
Olfactory opens on intense notes of violet, cherry which blend with sensations of coffee powder, leather and tobacco.
On the palate it flows fresh and sinuous, well balanced.
The Val delle Corti Chianti Classico Riserva is one of the best Chianti Classicos in terms of typicality and aging potential.
The very clear fruit stands out, embellished with perfectly integrated tertiary notes.
Municipality of the cellar: Radda in Chianti (Siena)
Il Margone 2019 – Il Mulino di Grace
Characteristics:
The nose is wrapped in a broad and emphatic olfactory bouquet with fresh rose, wild strawberry, orange peel, autumn spices, patchouli and sandalwood.
On the palate it is balanced, whole and fresh.
A long-limbed interpretation that maximizes the fresh and straightforward character of Sangiovese: the delicate and talkative aromas on the nose are just a captivating prelude to a sensational presence on the palate.
Fully among the best Chianti Classicos for its ability to enhance the fresh component of Sangiovese.
Municipality of the cellar: Panzano in Chianti (Florence)
Gran Selezione 2019 – Le Miccine
On the nose, penetrating olfactory epiphanies of blueberries and blackberries in jam emerge, which are echoed by hints of autumn forest, cinnamon, goudron and dark cocoa powder.
On the palate it is savory with a captivating tannic texture that creates an alternating note with the fruity sapid components.
Long, harmonious finish, with echoes of fruit and sweet spices.
Fully among the best Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines for sensational persistence, cleanliness, integrity of the fruit and great finesse on the palate. Modern and traditional character.
Municipality of the cellar: Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
ARTISAN, BIODYNAMIC AND NATURAL WINERIES OF THE CHIANTI CLASSICO
The production of Chianti is linked to many large historic and iconic companies but also many medium-small producers with an artisanal, biodynamic and natural production style. For those interested in these types of realities we have drawn up a selection of natural Chianti wineries.
Here are some tips from wineries of natural, artisanal and biodynamic Chianti Classico wineries.
- Montesecondo (San Casciano Val di Pesa – Firenze)
- Pacina (Castelnuovo Berardenga – Siena)
- San Giusto a Rentennano (Gaiole in Chianti – Siena)
- Podere Erica (Barberino Tavarnelle – Firenze)
- Monterotondo (Gaiole in Chianti – Siena)
- Castello dei Rampolla (Greve in Chianti – Firenze)
- Monteraponi (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Montevertine (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Caparsa (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Buondonno (Castellina in Chianti – Siena)
- Fattoria di Pomona (Catellina in Chianti – Siena)
- Val delle Corti (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Istine (Radda in Chianti – Siena)
- Le Boncie (Castelnuovo Berardenga)
- Monte Bernardi (Panzano in Chianti)
- Poggerino (Radda in Chianti)
- Vegi (Castellina in Chianti)
What is the best Chianti Classico?
Which are the best Chianti Classico? Choosing is a difficult undertaking, which however inevitably is subject to the limits of a subjective opinion, which as such, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply compiled a list of our favorite interpretations according to our evaluations. However, it remains essential to underline that wine is not born as a status symbol, to be exhibited or flaunted coram populo.
But to excite us and be shared in a genuine way with the people we love, binding ourselves to contingent situations and to the unrepeatable and intimate moments of our life.
Therefore, we invite you to visit wineries and get to know the producers who produce wines in their uniqueness, so that you can independently discover and choose the wine that can be counted for you among your personal favorite wines. If you have had the patience to read this far, thank you for your attention, but now is the time to fill the glasses and cut the distant hopes, and therefore:
Cheers, Salute, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
