2019 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Tan Label (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Crafted from a selection of the estate’s best quality Sangiovese grapes, the elegant 96 pt. 2019 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione offers rich, brambly fruit hinting of crushed herbs and exotic spice with refreshing acidity, an exceptional, top tier Chianti Classico from “one of the headline estates” of Castelnuovo Berardenga according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner and a stunning value. With a history dating back to the 9th century, the Castello di Bossi winery was founded in 1984 by entrepreneur Marco Bacci in the Chianti Classico hills east of Siena, its wines crafted under the direction of superstar Tuscan-born consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini. Located on an estate spanning over 800 hectares, Castello di Bossi’s 130 hectares of organically farmed vineyards are situated on rolling hillsides at altitudes averaging 350 meters above sea level, planted mostly to Sangiovese in a mix of tuffs, yellow clays, calcareous sands and broken stones. Introduced as the highest quality category in Chianti Classico in 2013, the rigorous guidelines for Gran Selezione require it to be crafted from all estate grown fruit with a minimum of 80% Sangiovese and aged for at least 30 months prior to release, compared to 12 months for Chianti Classico and 24 months for Chianti Classico Riserva. Crafted from 100% Sangiovese sourced from the Corbaia Vineyard boasting vines over 40 years of age as well as parcels throughout the estate, the richly concentrated 2019 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione was fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks before aging two years in large 500 liter French tonneaux followed by 6 months in bottle, yielding fragrant luscious fruit and bright acidity with lithe, silky tannins built for years of enjoyment on an elegant finish. From a Chianti Classico vintage producing wines of “exceptional balance” and “terrific depth” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the alluring 96 pt. 2019 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ranks among the vintage's top-rated wines, a superb value for Chianti lovers and collectors of Tuscany’s top reds to stash away and enjoy over the next decade and beyond. | ||
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2019 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2020 Dievole Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as “one of Italy’s ultimate value wines” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the sleek and refined 92 pt. 2020 Dievole Chianti Classico offers rich aromatics and concentrated spiced, earthy fruit balancing fresh acidity and soft, smooth tannins, a winning choice for Chianti Classico fans and anyone seeking a deliciously food friendly Tuscan wine to enjoy often at a bargain price. One of Chianti Classico’s most historic estates dating back to the 11th century, Dievole is located in the Castelnuovo Berardenga district in the southernmost part of the Chianti region, its rise in quality over the last decade fueled by the investments of Argentinian wine entrepreneur Alejandro Bulgheroni. Implementing “an elegant and streamlined approach with a focus on finesse and polish” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, Bulgheroni hired renowned enologist Alberto Antonini, recognized as one of the world’s top five wine consultants in a Decanter survey of his peers, to revitalize the estate from the ground up, transitioning the vineyards to organic viticulture and upgrading the winemaking facilities including replacing modern oak fermenters with cement vats in the cellar to accentuate freshness. Maintaining a large part of the massive 600-hectare estate as forest and meadows to preserve biodiversity, Dievole’s organically certified vineyards span 158 hectares with 100 hectares dedicated to Sangiovese, situated on slopes between 270 and 420 meters above sea level with a mosaic of soils ranging from silty clay to a mix of marl and fossils. Employing a long fermentation with indigenous yeasts in large cement tanks, Antonini aged the 2020 Dievole Chianti Classico in large untoasted French oak casks for 13 months with three additional months in bottle, yielding an expressive Sangiovese with energetic acidity and a fresh, harmonious finish ready to be enjoyed over the next few years. Described as “the ultimate comeback kid” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the elegant 92 pt. 2020 Dievole Chianti Classico reflects the estate’s consistent and steady rise in quality over the last decade, delivering on consulting winemaker Antonini’s goal of making enticing, terroir-reflective wines that draw you back again and again and offered at a outstanding value price that makes it easy to pull the cork. | ||
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2019 San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2020 Tignanello Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2021 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a reference point Chianti Classico producer described as “one of the great estates in the world” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, these top scoring selections showcase Fattoria Felsina’s full range of Tuscan wines, from highly rated Chianti Classicos and age worthy Sangiovese to an elegant Chardonnay declared “one of the country’s best” by critic Ian D’Agata, always among the region’s top values and now unbeatably bargain priced for stocking up. Perched on a hilltop in Castelnuovo Berardenga in southern Chianti Classico, Fattoria Felsina has risen to the top of appellation under the direction of Giuseppe Mazzocolin for over four decades, the massive 500-hectare estate boasting 95 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards and now run third generation Giovanni Poggiali. A lush Sangiovese that “readers should consider buying by the case,” according to Vinous critic Galloni, the compelling 93 pt. 2021 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga offers rich dark fruit hinting of earthy spice “backed by a solid base of tannins and vibrant acidity” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, while the fresh and vibrant 92 pt. 2021 Felsina I Sistri is “a classic expression of Chardonnay” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, boasting intensely aromatic stone and citrus flavors framed by salty minerality and declared “a world class example of what Italy can do with this variety” by Italian wine expert Ian D’Agata. Earning the #22 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023, the sumptuous 94 pt. 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva reveals rich dark Sangiovese flavors with bright acidity from an outstanding vintage. . Boasting an “extraordinary ability to convey the essence of variety, place and vintage” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Felsina wines reflect the estate’s rich legacy as standard bearers in Chianti Classico, promising to overdeliver value from an enticing Chardonnay to a full range of age worthy Sangiovese wines and ready to enjoy whenever an authentic taste of Tuscany beckons. | ||
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2015 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Brolio by Ricasoli Chianti Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2021 Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2016 Querciabella Chianti Classico (375ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Caparsa Chianti Classico Riserva Doccio a Matteo (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “A highly recommended discovery from Radda in Chianti” Monica Larner, Wine Advocate Producing “deep, soulful wines loaded with character” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these highly rated 2019 Caparsa selections from masterful winemaker Paolo Cianferoni are a must for Sangiovese fans and collectors of age worthy Italian red wines, bargain priced for mixing a case or two or selecting a favorite to enjoy over the next decade. Boasting imposing defensive walls and medieval towers, the centuries old hilltop village of Radda in Chianti boasts a panoramic view overlooking a woven landscape of lush, low-lying forests and manicured vineyards in the middle of Chianti Classico, the cooler hilly terrain yielding wines of “extreme elegance” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe. Working over 50 harvests at his family’s Radda in Chianti estate since the age of seven, passionate winemaker Paolo Cianferoni is a pioneer in Chianti Classico since taking the reins in 1982, implementing a vineyard-driven approach to crafting his Sangiovese wines and among the first to employ organic viticulture in the region. Described by critic Galloni as “a truly a special place,” Caparsa’s organically certified vineyards span 12 hectares, planted with old vine Sangiovese averaging around 60 years of age in rugged galestro and albarese soils on a hillside around 450 meters above sea level, with most of the estate remaining forested to support biodiversity. Fermenting the hand selected fruit with indigenous yeasts in cement vats in the estate’s centuries’ old cellar and bottling without filtering or fining, the vibrant 93 pt. 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino was aged in large oak barrels for around 15 months, “giving it a super-classic feel that is absolutely thrilling” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, while noting the smaller production, single vineyard 95 pt. 2019 Doccio a Matteo Riserva boasts “a real sense of exoticness,” aged in a mix of mostly smaller oak casks and cement for over two years before bottling to yield fresh, richly concentrated fruit balanced by fine integrated tannins. Naming it to honor his longtime partner Gianna whose nickname is Mimma, Paolo selected his best grapes for the 96 pt. 2019 Mimma Rosso IGT, aging it in large old casks with nearly 3 years longer in bottle and crafting a rich and uniquely elegant Sangiovese that Galloni describes as “aromatically beguiling and light on its feet.” From an excellent Chianti vintage producing fresh Sangiovese wines with “wonderful concentration and ripe tannins” according to Jeb Dunnuck, these alluring 2019 Caparsa selections are a reference point for Radda in Chianti while remaining one of the best kept secrets in Chianti Classico, three incredibly delicious and pure expressions of Sangiovese from one of the region’s most undervalued producers promising a decade or more of enjoyment. | ||
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2016 Dievole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna di Sessina (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2018 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as a “gem of a producer” by Decanter, Podere Le Cinciole may well be the ultimate insider’s Tuscan estate, these high scoring, under the radar selections expressing the estate’s exceptional “golden” terroir in Chianti Classico's high altitude terrain and quietly gaining the lesser known Le Cinciole a reputation among critics including Antonio Galloni of Vinous as “one of the leading estates in all of Italy," each of these artisan-crafted red wines also among the region’s top values. Situated on a biodiverse 30-hectare hilltop estate that includes an olive grove of 1,000 trees, Le Cinciole owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vigano produce their measured, thoughtful wines from 11-hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Conca d’Oro, the amphitheater-shaped “golden basin” considered the Grand Cru of the region, planted in galestro soils of clay and schist ranging from 400 to 450 meters above sea level at one of the highest elevations in the region. Described as “one of the most distinctive wines in the appellation” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the remarkably expressive 93 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico and 92 pt. 2020 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico entry level cuvees were crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged for 12 months in medium French oak barrels and a year in concrete before bottling, yielding seductive, earthy fruit and elegant tannins and described as “a perennial overperformer” by Decanter’s Michaela Morris that’s not to be missed. Crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged well beyond the minimum requirement of 30 months for Chianti Classico's elite Gran Selezione category, Decanter critic Morris named the elegant 96 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi one of her Top 10 wines of 2021, its luscious core of rich Sangiovese fruit and balanced mineral driven acidity boasting “quite a wow factor,” while Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate describes the “bold” 95 pt. 2018 Gran Selezione Aluigi as having “a lovely defined character” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous praises the 96 pt. 2019 Gran Selezione Aluigi as setting the gold standard for the classification, exclaiming “what a gorgeous wine this is.” A deeply layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, the exquisite 95 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “absolutely gorgeous” according to critic Galloni, boasting lush dark fruits with remarkable persistence and balanced acidity, while the powerful 94 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Camalaione “packs a huge punch” and the enticing 96 pt. 2018 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “a knockout,” describing the atypical blend as offering “stunning depth and textural intensity.” Sourced from 100% Sangiovese grown in a single vineyard at the estate’s highest elevation, Antonio Galloni calls the flagship 97 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Petresco “breathtaking” while the 98 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Petresco boasts “notable depth and intensity,” and like all Le Cinciole’s top cuvees, both are built to deliver pleasurable drinking over the next decade and beyond. While Panzano and the Conca D’Oro have gained notoriety among collectors as the home to high profile producers like Fontodi, Le Cinciole's top scoring wines remain among Tuscany’s hidden treasures, still seeming “to fly under the radar” according to Antonio Galloni and a rare opportunity for lovers and collectors of bold Tuscan reds to “strike gold” and scoop up a stash of Le Cinciole’s purely irresistible wines at unbeatable prices. | ||
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2020 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as a “gem of a producer” by Decanter, Podere Le Cinciole may well be the ultimate insider’s Tuscan estate, these high scoring, under the radar selections expressing the estate’s exceptional “golden” terroir in Chianti Classico's high altitude terrain and quietly gaining the lesser known Le Cinciole a reputation among critics including Antonio Galloni of Vinous as “one of the leading estates in all of Italy," each of these artisan-crafted red wines also among the region’s top values. Situated on a biodiverse 30-hectare hilltop estate that includes an olive grove of 1,000 trees, Le Cinciole owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vigano produce their measured, thoughtful wines from 11-hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Conca d’Oro, the amphitheater-shaped “golden basin” considered the Grand Cru of the region, planted in galestro soils of clay and schist ranging from 400 to 450 meters above sea level at one of the highest elevations in the region. Described as “one of the most distinctive wines in the appellation” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the remarkably expressive 93 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico and 92 pt. 2020 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico entry level cuvees were crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged for 12 months in medium French oak barrels and a year in concrete before bottling, yielding seductive, earthy fruit and elegant tannins and described as “a perennial overperformer” by Decanter’s Michaela Morris that’s not to be missed. Crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged well beyond the minimum requirement of 30 months for Chianti Classico's elite Gran Selezione category, Decanter critic Morris named the elegant 96 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi one of her Top 10 wines of 2021, its luscious core of rich Sangiovese fruit and balanced mineral driven acidity boasting “quite a wow factor,” while Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate describes the “bold” 95 pt. 2018 Gran Selezione Aluigi as having “a lovely defined character” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous praises the 96 pt. 2019 Gran Selezione Aluigi as setting the gold standard for the classification, exclaiming “what a gorgeous wine this is.” A deeply layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, the exquisite 95 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “absolutely gorgeous” according to critic Galloni, boasting lush dark fruits with remarkable persistence and balanced acidity, while the powerful 94 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Camalaione “packs a huge punch” and the enticing 96 pt. 2018 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “a knockout,” describing the atypical blend as offering “stunning depth and textural intensity.” Sourced from 100% Sangiovese grown in a single vineyard at the estate’s highest elevation, Antonio Galloni calls the flagship 97 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Petresco “breathtaking” while the 98 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Petresco boasts “notable depth and intensity,” and like all Le Cinciole’s top cuvees, both are built to deliver pleasurable drinking over the next decade and beyond. While Panzano and the Conca D’Oro have gained notoriety among collectors as the home to high profile producers like Fontodi, Le Cinciole's top scoring wines remain among Tuscany’s hidden treasures, still seeming “to fly under the radar” according to Antonio Galloni and a rare opportunity for lovers and collectors of bold Tuscan reds to “strike gold” and scoop up a stash of Le Cinciole’s purely irresistible wines at unbeatable prices. | ||
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2021 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More From a reference point Chianti Classico producer described as “one of the great estates in the world” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, these top scoring selections showcase Fattoria Felsina’s full range of Tuscan wines, from highly rated Chianti Classicos and age worthy Sangiovese to an elegant Chardonnay declared “one of the country’s best” by critic Ian D’Agata, always among the region’s top values and now unbeatably bargain priced for stocking up. Perched on a hilltop in Castelnuovo Berardenga in southern Chianti Classico, Fattoria Felsina has risen to the top of appellation under the direction of Giuseppe Mazzocolin for over four decades, the massive 500-hectare estate boasting 95 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards and now run third generation Giovanni Poggiali. A lush Sangiovese that “readers should consider buying by the case,” according to Vinous critic Galloni, the compelling 93 pt. 2021 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga offers rich dark fruit hinting of earthy spice “backed by a solid base of tannins and vibrant acidity” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, while the fresh and vibrant 92 pt. 2021 Felsina I Sistri is “a classic expression of Chardonnay” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, boasting intensely aromatic stone and citrus flavors framed by salty minerality and declared “a world class example of what Italy can do with this variety” by Italian wine expert Ian D’Agata. Earning the #22 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023, the sumptuous 94 pt. 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva reveals rich dark Sangiovese flavors with bright acidity from an outstanding vintage. . Boasting an “extraordinary ability to convey the essence of variety, place and vintage” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top rated Felsina wines reflect the estate’s rich legacy as standard bearers in Chianti Classico, promising to overdeliver value from an enticing Chardonnay to a full range of age worthy Sangiovese wines and ready to enjoy whenever an authentic taste of Tuscany beckons. | ||
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2021 Castello di Albola Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2020 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2018 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Described as a “gem of a producer” by Decanter, Podere Le Cinciole may well be the ultimate insider’s Tuscan estate, these high scoring, under the radar selections expressing the estate’s exceptional “golden” terroir in Chianti Classico's high altitude terrain and quietly gaining the lesser known Le Cinciole a reputation among critics including Antonio Galloni of Vinous as “one of the leading estates in all of Italy," each of these artisan-crafted red wines also among the region’s top values. Situated on a biodiverse 30-hectare hilltop estate that includes an olive grove of 1,000 trees, Le Cinciole owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vigano produce their measured, thoughtful wines from 11-hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Conca d’Oro, the amphitheater-shaped “golden basin” considered the Grand Cru of the region, planted in galestro soils of clay and schist ranging from 400 to 450 meters above sea level at one of the highest elevations in the region. Described as “one of the most distinctive wines in the appellation” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the remarkably expressive 93 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico and 92 pt. 2020 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico entry level cuvees were crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged for 12 months in medium French oak barrels and a year in concrete before bottling, yielding seductive, earthy fruit and elegant tannins and described as “a perennial overperformer” by Decanter’s Michaela Morris that’s not to be missed. Crafted from 100% Sangiovese and aged well beyond the minimum requirement of 30 months for Chianti Classico's elite Gran Selezione category, Decanter critic Morris named the elegant 96 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi one of her Top 10 wines of 2021, its luscious core of rich Sangiovese fruit and balanced mineral driven acidity boasting “quite a wow factor,” while Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate describes the “bold” 95 pt. 2018 Gran Selezione Aluigi as having “a lovely defined character” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous praises the 96 pt. 2019 Gran Selezione Aluigi as setting the gold standard for the classification, exclaiming “what a gorgeous wine this is.” A deeply layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, the exquisite 95 pt. 2016 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “absolutely gorgeous” according to critic Galloni, boasting lush dark fruits with remarkable persistence and balanced acidity, while the powerful 94 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Camalaione “packs a huge punch” and the enticing 96 pt. 2018 Le Cinciole Camalaione is “a knockout,” describing the atypical blend as offering “stunning depth and textural intensity.” Sourced from 100% Sangiovese grown in a single vineyard at the estate’s highest elevation, Antonio Galloni calls the flagship 97 pt. 2017 Le Cinciole Petresco “breathtaking” while the 98 pt. 2019 Le Cinciole Petresco boasts “notable depth and intensity,” and like all Le Cinciole’s top cuvees, both are built to deliver pleasurable drinking over the next decade and beyond. While Panzano and the Conca D’Oro have gained notoriety among collectors as the home to high profile producers like Fontodi, Le Cinciole's top scoring wines remain among Tuscany’s hidden treasures, still seeming “to fly under the radar” according to Antonio Galloni and a rare opportunity for lovers and collectors of bold Tuscan reds to “strike gold” and scoop up a stash of Le Cinciole’s purely irresistible wines at unbeatable prices. | ||
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2020 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
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2019 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva (375ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More Reaching “the absolute heights of Italian wine making” according to Italy’s Gambero Rosso, these highly rated Felsina selections are priced to deliver top value for Italian wine collectors and Felsina fans, a wide range of Tuscan treasures from one of Chianti Classico’s most esteemed producers and a perfect opportunity for mixing a case of exceptional Italian wine. Spanning 600 hectares high in the rolling vine-covered hills of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fattoria di Felsina rose to the top of Chianti Classico under the leadership of Giuseppe Mazzocolin for over four decades, producing a range of wines from 95 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards and now managed by his son Giovanni Poggiali. Described as “a fantastic entry point for the Felsina range” by Jeb Dunnuck, the 94 pt. 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga offers “classic Felsina savory, floral and tobacco accents” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous while strict selection and extended aging for the 96 pt. 2019 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva yielded richly concentrated fruit that’s “long and deliciously wild, with savory spice notes” according to James Suckling. From a single vineyard called “a Grand Cru” of Tuscany by Antonio Galloni, the flagship 95 pt. 2019 Felsina Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva offers distinctive aromatics hinting of balsamic and crushed stone with sleek, silky tannins reflecting Rancia’s “sense of place” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner and just beginning its long-lived evolution. Crafted as an IGT from 100% Sangiovese grown in Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi, James Suckling describes the 95 pt. 2018 Felsina Fontalloro as “full-bodied, yet polished and structured” promising to develop with age, while the 96 pt. 2019 Felsina Fontalloro is “elegant yet balanced, with a lingering spice and smoke-infused aftertaste” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson and summed up by Antonio Galloni as “terrific.” Crafted as a powerful expression of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with extended aging, the 96 pt. 2019 Felsina Maestro Raro is described as “beautifully rich and velvety” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner and “endowed with terrific depth and sheer resonance” by Vinous critic Galloni. Lovers of the world’s best sweet wines will want to save room in the case for the enticing 97 pt. 2015 Felsina Vin Santo, called “a fabulous finish to any Tuscan-themed dinner” by Antonio Galloni and crafted from a blend of grapes including Sangiovese that are dried in the traditional appassimento process that concentrates sugars and develops rich flavors. Called a “reference point” estate in the region by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these top selections from Fattoria di Felsina deliver exceptional value from one of the region’s best, ready to stash away to enjoy whenever an authentic taste of Tuscany beckons. | ||
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2017 Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More The Monteraponi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello is among the finest expressions of Sangiovese you will find. Its limited production makes that all the more challenging. The Cru Il Campitello is the oldest planting at Monteraponi exceeding 40 years of age. Elevation here in Radda is 420 meters yielding textbook Riserva from ‘galestro’ soils which is drinkable now but will well endure another decade. | ||
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2019 Caparsa Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino (750ml) | ||
Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | ||
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More “A highly recommended discovery from Radda in Chianti” Monica Larner, Wine Advocate Producing “deep, soulful wines loaded with character” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, these highly rated 2019 Caparsa selections from masterful winemaker Paolo Cianferoni are a must for Sangiovese fans and collectors of age worthy Italian red wines, bargain priced for mixing a case or two or selecting a favorite to enjoy over the next decade. Boasting imposing defensive walls and medieval towers, the centuries old hilltop village of Radda in Chianti boasts a panoramic view overlooking a woven landscape of lush, low-lying forests and manicured vineyards in the middle of Chianti Classico, the cooler hilly terrain yielding wines of “extreme elegance” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe. Working over 50 harvests at his family’s Radda in Chianti estate since the age of seven, passionate winemaker Paolo Cianferoni is a pioneer in Chianti Classico since taking the reins in 1982, implementing a vineyard-driven approach to crafting his Sangiovese wines and among the first to employ organic viticulture in the region. Described by critic Galloni as “a truly a special place,” Caparsa’s organically certified vineyards span 12 hectares, planted with old vine Sangiovese averaging around 60 years of age in rugged galestro and albarese soils on a hillside around 450 meters above sea level, with most of the estate remaining forested to support biodiversity. Fermenting the hand selected fruit with indigenous yeasts in cement vats in the estate’s centuries’ old cellar and bottling without filtering or fining, the vibrant 93 pt. 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Caparsino was aged in large oak barrels for around 15 months, “giving it a super-classic feel that is absolutely thrilling” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, while noting the smaller production, single vineyard 95 pt. 2019 Doccio a Matteo Riserva boasts “a real sense of exoticness,” aged in a mix of mostly smaller oak casks and cement for over two years before bottling to yield fresh, richly concentrated fruit balanced by fine integrated tannins. Naming it to honor his longtime partner Gianna whose nickname is Mimma, Paolo selected his best grapes for the 96 pt. 2019 Mimma Rosso IGT, aging it in large old casks with nearly 3 years longer in bottle and crafting a rich and uniquely elegant Sangiovese that Galloni describes as “aromatically beguiling and light on its feet.” From an excellent Chianti vintage producing fresh Sangiovese wines with “wonderful concentration and ripe tannins” according to Jeb Dunnuck, these alluring 2019 Caparsa selections are a reference point for Radda in Chianti while remaining one of the best kept secrets in Chianti Classico, three incredibly delicious and pure expressions of Sangiovese from one of the region’s most undervalued producers promising a decade or more of enjoyment. | ||
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