Chianti Classico is perhaps the best source of value in the wine world today. Look no further than this week’s Tasting Highlights, which features a selection of Sangiovese-based reds that range from Chianti Classico annate to riserva to gran selezione.
Both Barone Ricasoli and Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi are historic wineries. Under owner Francesco Ricasoli’s direction, the estate is making some of the best wines in the region today, and here is an opportunity to try three different cuvées. Tenuta Perano is Frescobaldi’s first foray in the Chianti Classico region. On the other hand, Il Molino di Grace is a young estate, founded by businessman Frank Grace in the 1990s. Working with consulting enologist Franco Bernabei, its wines marry tradition and modernity.
The 2023 vintage was challenging due to a rainy spring; the wines are elegant, savory and approachable now. Though 2022 was hot and dry during the summer, the wines have freshness, in part from Sangiovese’s high acidity and also the elevation of Chianti Classico’s vineyards. The riservas require about five years of aging from the vintage to open and will age for an additional 15–20 years.
Gran selezione is the top of the quality pyramid. Made from estate grapes and a minimum 90 percent Sangiovese by law, these are often the expression of a single vineyard. San Felice’s Il Grigio comes from the three best plots of Sangiovese on the estate. The gran selezione bottlings generally require a few more years of aging than riservas, but you can trust that your patience will be amply rewarded.
Read on to get our expert scores and full tasting notes!
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