2

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

The home of Sangiovese sits smack bang in the middle of Tuscany.

To confuse the matter Chianti Classico DOCG is surrounded by an array of Chianti DOCG’s.

You’ll see the famous ‘Gallo Nero’ Black Rooster on all bottles of Chianti Classico.

The history of Chianti Classico is explored on the Consozio’s site.

Chianti Classico has around 7,000Ha (2020) of vineyards covering 11 Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive, UGAs. These UGA will soon begin appearing on wine labels of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, hopefully, they’ll appear on bottles of Chianti Classico shortly thereafter.

The 11 UGAs are listed below. Each is linked to the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico site that has an incredible visual resource exploring each UGA:

The UGA are broken down into sub-units recognising geographical and geological difference within each UGA.

The Chianti Classico DOCG requires a 80-100% Sangiovese and 0-20% other varieties in the blend including international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione was established in 2014 with the aim, perhaps yet to be fully realised, of establishing a higher classification.

The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 90-100% Sangiovese and 0-10% native varieties only in the blend.

The grapes that may contribute to the blend must be recorded in the national register of vine varieties of MIPAAF authorized by the Region of Tuscany, starting from native varieties, such as Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Fogliatonda, Malvasia Nera, Mammolo, Pugnitello, and also major international varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.

It was only in 1996 that wines made with 100% Sangiovese were permitted and Chianti Classico was recognised as independant DOCG from Chianti with its own production regulations.

In 2005 white grapes were banned from use in Chianti Classico.


L'Erta di Radda


L’Erta di Radda Chianti Classico 2021

Red Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

This looks very good. Earthy, savoury, vibrant energetic. Openning in the glass, to reveal a comforting, flowing, delicious wine. The faintest lick of botti oak wash. Excellent core of fruit layered and caressing. Delicious. Grape First. Just yum. Part of the new wave doing it in style! The earth and spice from Canaiolo, savoury  & delicious. Relax, devour it and just smile!“The 2021 Chianti Classico is a deep, savory wine that is still coming together after its bottling. Crushed
$71
$68ea in any 3+
$65ea in any 6+

L’Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva 2021

Red Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Grape first. A build in richness and intensity here over the Chianti Classico. Just 1ha vineyard of high elevation north facing. Serious dark and brooding in need of more time to reveal it’s full potential the depth and length here is impressive. The oak tannin just layers in seamlessly playing a supporting role. Elegant with incredible length. Very good and will deliver much more with time. This gives many a Brunello a kick in the ass! Chocolatey, yes, rich, yes, nothing like those boring oxi
$117
$112ea in any 3+
$107ea in any 6+

Cigliano di Sopra


The first wine I tried from the Cigliano di Sopra was the 2021 Classico. It's a bloody tasty expression of Sangiovese. It shows a hell of a lot of comfort and clarity of thought in their winemaking from this young duo. They are at the forefront of a new wave like Carleone pushing hard to drive Chianti to new height. Think harmony, balance, grape first, fun wine. The Riserva is looking very sharp. All of the hallmarks of the Classico levelled up. Old school Chianti Classico Riservas are often ov
$152
$145ea in any 3+
$138ea in any 6+

I feel like a new benchmark for fine wine is being set by Maddalena Fucile and Matteo Vaccari of Cigliano di Sopra in San Casciano Val di Pesa … I want to underline the sheer excitement I feel for these wines and this promising up-and-coming estate.

Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate


Corzano e Paterno + Tenuta di Carleone


Tenuta di Carleone Chianti Classico 2021
Tre Bicchieri 🍷🍷🍷

Tenuta di Carleone Chianti Classico 2021

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Damn! My note is almost identical to the 2020!Radda is one of the cooler parts of Chianti Classico, as with the 2020, Sean has done the 2021 justice. Dominated by dark fruits with a pop of fresh red fruits layered with stalk spices & a little earthiness.There’s harmony & flow in this seamless elegant Chianti. Finishing with a fine sweep of bitterness that cleanses, followed by lingering flavours and a fine refreshing line of acid.A certain delicacy. The fine long tannins wi
$79
$75ea in any 3+
$71ea in any 6+

Tenuta di Carleone ‘Il Guercio’ 2021

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Named after a Tuscan word for "one-eyed rascal," the Tenuta di Carleone 2021 Il Guercio (in a bottle with a white wax capsule) is all Sangiovese with up to 40% whole cluster and as a much as five months of extended maceration in cement vats only.The wine delivers a very clear and variety-faithful expression with bright plum, wild cherry and iris root. You can taste the artisanal approach of this pretty wine. There are dusty limestone sensations that add to a cooling finish. Fruit comes from
$146
$141ea in any 3+
$136ea in any 6+
Corzano e Paterno Chianti 'Terre di Corzano' 2021
Brings Back Memories!

Corzano e Paterno Chianti ‘Terre di Corzano’ 2021

Red Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

This wine, along with Corzano e Paterno’s top of the line 100% Sangiovese ‘I Tre Borri’ were two of the first Chianti’s that that piqued my interest and demonstrated the potential of this beautiful variety.Fresh zippy acid, red cherry, excellent tannins with a little playful grip and spice. Delicious.  Grape first. Earthy profile with dark fruit of energy and vibrancy a little perfume floats over the top ~ violets me thinks. Layered delicious and vibrant an excellent comparison to
$49
$46ea in any 3+
$43ea in any 6+

Fèlsina's Divine 2021 Chianti Classico


Fèlsina Chianti Classio DOCG ‘Beradenga’ 2021

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA

The Perfect intro to the Fascinating Chiantis of Fèlsina! I have to agree with Galloni, the 2021 shows a welcome level of refinement and sophistication.Dark and brooding spice with sour cherries, lovely tannins. A lot going on here. Layered, with excellent drive and energy. Fine acid. It’s the intensity with the finesse, the richness yet elegance. It seems almost a wine in two parts. Lovely shape to the palate, linear yet with some excellent mid-palate generosity. This is the perfect frie
$67
$64ea in any 3+
$61ea in any 6+

Fèlsina Chianti Classio Riserva DOCG ‘Rancia’ 2017

Sangiovese | Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy

The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is plenty of vintage 2017 intensity, but Rancia is distinctly medium in body and restrained. The wilder side of Sangiovese, one of the signatures of Rancia and Fèlsina more broadly, tastes a bit baked out. I can't wait to see how the 2017 develops over the coming years and decades.
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+

Fèlsina ‘Fontalloro’ IGT 2017

Sangiovese | Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy

Fontalloro is exquisite in 2017. It is also such a contrast to the Rancia, as the two wines could not possibly be more different. Fontalloro is bright and vibrant, with more sweet red Sangiovese character than the darker Rancia. It is also incredibly delicious now, even though it clearly has the energy to age for many years. The 2017 is one of the finest Fontalloros I can remember tasting.Antonio Galloni
$155
$150ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+

Fèlsina Chianti Classio Riserva DOCG ‘Rancia’ 2016

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA

The layering of flavour, tannin in this is excellent! Everyone went nuts on the Fontalloro because of a couple of extra points, wow, this is stunning! Fèlsina have tamed the beast! While this is a powerful wine with incredible depth and length, it is beautifully balanced with excellent grape tannins. It will resolve and build sensuality over the coming years. Dark and incredibly complex there's a vitality to the mouthfeel. If you're going to crack one young give it loads of air in the morning a
$180
$175ea in any 3+
$170ea in any 6+

Filters & Sorting

Tenuta di Carleone ‘Il Guercio’ 2022

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Named after a Tuscan word for "one-eyed rascal."With its elegant white wax capsule, the Tenuta di Carleone 2022 Il Guercio is partially made with feet-stomped Sangiovese (and up to 50% whole-cluster fruit) sourced from the village of Lamole, with its verdant vineyard landscapes and high elevations. This IGT red is balanced and bright with a lean consistency. The fruit tones are presented with good intensity and layered nuance. You get some of the bitter flavors from the skins (from extended
$156
$149ea in any 3+
$142ea in any 6+

Fèlsina Chianti Classio Riserva DOCG ‘Rancia’ 2016

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA

The layering of flavour, tannin in this is excellent! Everyone went nuts on the Fontalloro because of a couple of extra points, wow, this is stunning! Fèlsina have tamed the beast! While this is a powerful wine with incredible depth and length, it is beautifully balanced with excellent grape tannins. It will resolve and build sensuality over the coming years. Dark and incredibly complex there's a vitality to the mouthfeel. If you're going to crack one young give it loads of air in the morning a
$180
$175ea in any 3+
$170ea in any 6+

San Giusto a Rentennano ‘Vin San Giusto’ 375ml 2015

White Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Production of this wine is a painstaking labor of love. If they made a white out of the grapes it would return 10 times the volume! Makes the price look pretty reasonable.The organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2015 Vin San Giusto (in a 375-milliliter bottle) opens to a dark chestnut color with brownish and copper highlights. This wine is viscous and quite thick with a contained 9.5% alcohol content. That low alcohol is a hallmark of this special dessert wine, as is its super rich, almost sy
$184
$177ea in any 3+
$170ea in any 6+

San Giusto a Rentennano ‘Vin San Giusto’ 375ml 2016

White Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

Production of this wine is a painstaking labor of love. If they made a white out of the grapes it would return 10 times the volume! Makes the price look pretty reasonable.The organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2016 Vin San Giusto (in a 375-milliliter bottle) is a viscous and glycerin-rich dessert wine with dried fruit, chewy caramel, white raisin and a hint of chocolate or toasted coffee bean. The wine is very rich on the palate, sitting heavy on the senses to the end. I also get a curious
$185
$178ea in any 3+
$171ea in any 6+

Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is quite possibly the most elegant, refined version of this wine I have ever tasted. It does not offer the immediacy or impact of either the 2015 or 2016, but, instead, impresses with its elegance, persistence and total class. Bright floral and spice notes add perfume to a core of red-toned fruit. The 2018 represents another move towards greater finesse at Fontodi. It spent a year in French oak barrel and a second year in cask.Antonio
$227
$217ea in any 3+
$207ea in any 6+
Isole e Olena 'Cepparello' 2019
🇮🇹Benchmark Sangio🍷

Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’ 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Barberino Val d'Elsa

Isole e Olena's top wine. Always a pleasure. Year after year they seem to be drawing even more delicious expressions of Sangiovese from this special parcel of fruit! 'Cepparello' is named after the valley where the vineyard is planted. The last bottle I had of this was a 2006 a month ago, thanks Chris. It was superb, great harmony poise and balance. A real generosity to the wine. Beautiful secondary characters. Looking forward to trying the 2019."One of the icon wines of Tuscany, the Iso
$228
$224ea in any 3+
$220ea in any 6+
San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo IGT 2020
AG 💯

San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo IGT 2020

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

The organic San Giusto a Rentennano 2020 Percarlo is born in a vintage of power, concentration and dark fruit flavors. All of these elements are delivered here, and as always, the wine shows impeccable Sangiovese balance with a spotlight on primary fruit, integrated tannins and bright acidity. The alcohol is high at 15%. In fact, the wine tastes young, and that's not something you can say of most of the other releases from the 2020 vintage. This expression, however, still holds back just a bit a
$234
$224ea in any 3+
$214ea in any 6+

San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo IGT 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

One of the most celebrated expressions of Sangiovese on the market today is the San Giusto a Rentennano 2019 Percarlo. This organic wine has a hint of extra ripeness or richness that transcends the bouquet. You feel as if you can bite into the fruit, and indeed the 2019 vintage is recognized by its unique power and density (with a 15% alcohol content). It's a lot to take in, and there is enough lasting fiber and fruit power to fuel a long drinking window. This is one of the bigger and more opule
$245
$235ea in any 3+
$225ea in any 6+
From high density plantings of Cabernet and Petit Verdot. This show how good Bordeaux blends can be in Italy and just how different they are from their French counterparts! Jumping from 4,000 vines a hectare to 8-10,000. Grown as bush vines. Immediate oppulence and generosity on the nose. The structural element from the tannin are very different from the tannins of Bordeaux, edgy again in a good way.  Such complexity with a layer of macerative characters and the perfume they can offer. Vibrant
$292
$282ea in any 3+
$272ea in any 6+

Castello dei Rampolla ‘d’Alceo’ 2018

Red Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

This show how good Bordeaux blends can be in Italy and just how different they are from their French counterparts! Jumping from 4,000 vines a hectare to 8-10,000. Grown as bush vines. Immediate oppulence and generosity on the nose. The structural element from the tannin are very different from the tannins of Bordeaux, edgy again in a good way.  Such complexity with a layer of macerative characters and the perfume they can offer. Vibrant acidity and flowers from the Petit Verdot. d'Alceo is a wo
$298
$288ea in any 3+
$278ea in any 6+

Castello dei Rampolla ‘d’Alceo’ 2019

Red Blend | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

This show how good Bordeaux blends can be in Italy and just how different they are from their French counterparts! Jumping from 4,000 vines a hectare to 8-10,000. Grown as bush vines. Immediate oppulence and generosity on the nose. The structural element from the tannin are very different from the tannins of Bordeaux, edgy again in a good way.  Such complexity with a layer of macerative characters and the perfume they can offer. Vibrant acidity and flowers from the Petit Verdot. d'Alceo is a wo
$298
$288ea in any 3+
$278ea in any 6+

Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2021

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Chianti Classico

‘The 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve is another exceptional wine from Fontodi this year. Ripe, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit as the 2021 makes its presence felt from the first taste. Sumptuous, racy and dense, this is just magnificent. As has been the case for some time, Flaccianello is a blend of mostly three parcels throughout the estate but closer to town. Drink 2028-2046’Antonio Galloni, Vinous 98 Points‘The Fontodi 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve opens to
$412
$397ea in any 3+
$382ea in any 6+