On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from : Gran Selezione at the 2024 Anteprima

07 Oct 2024

GS Ponte

This is where everyone goes on the first day, because if you don’t they will be gone on the second. I used to taste from the Chianti Classico to the Selezione but realized I was missing out on the “good stuff” by the time I got there. This year I tasted 120 Gran Selezione and 62 of them made this list – a ratio of just over half, which shows (in my opinion) we are getting there, as this might be the best ratio to date. In the past too much oak over-shadowed the fruit; but with the use of more older and larger barrels the Parker generation might finally be at bay. Let’s hope this continues.

____________________

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


Altiero 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Antinori 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Badia a Passignano"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Banfi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Fonte alla Selva" ... GOOD

Bindi Sergardi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Mocenni 89" GS Bindi
Fruit is bright yet light; easy on the palate. The acidity balances and the tannins are soft - this is a very juicy number.  (BETTER)

Borgo Scopeto 2017 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Brancaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
Nice fruit to oak ratio: spice play with the strawberry and black cherry while pepper joins the fray at the end.  (BETTER)

Cafaggio 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Basilica Solatio" ... GOOD

Capannelle 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

GS CarpinetaCarpineta Fontalpino 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigna Montaperto"
Elegance of fruit, nice hit of acitdity, juicy and slightly cedary. Touch of floral all with a good long finish.  (BEST)

Casa Emma 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Castagnoli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Salita" ... GOOD

Castellinuzza e Piuca 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigna Piuca" ... GOOD

Castello di Albola 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Il Solatio" ... GOOD

Castello di Cacchiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Millennio" ... GOOD

Castello di Fonterutoli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Castello di Fonterutoli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Badiola" ... GOOD

Castello di Gabbiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Bellezza"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Castello di Volpaia 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Il Puro / Casanova" GS Volpaia
Really like the fruity component here, the oak, tannins and acidity fall in line. This is so more-ish.  (BEST)

Castello La Leccia 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Bruciagna"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Castello Vicchiomaggio 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Le Bolle" ... GOOD

Castelo di Bossi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Colle Bereto 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Colombaio di Cencio 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vinci" ... GOOD

Conti Capponi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Villa Calcinaia Vigna La Fornace" ... GOOD

Conti Capponi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Villa Calcinaia Vigna Bastignano"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Conti Capponi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Villa Calcinaia Vigna Contessa Luisa"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

GS ZingarelliFamiglia Zingarelli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Tenuta Fizzano Il Crocino"
Nice fruit with some oak tannins, cassis, smoke, black cherry and spice.  (BETTER)

Fattoria di Lamole / Paolo Socci 2016 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigna Grospoli" ... GOOD

Fattoria di Montemaggio 2015 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Alberello" ... GOOD

Fattoria Santo Stefano 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - " Santo Stefano" ... GOOD

Felsina 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Colonia" ... GOOD

Il Molino di Grace 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Il Margone" GS Molina di Grace
This has so much going for it: the fruit is a little baked, but it has a strawberry-cherry-rhubarb note that's quite fun, it's also like it has a crust (fruit pie) - plenty of spice and acidity bring it all together. Drink sooner than later - but this is still lovely.  (BEST)

Il Poggiolino 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Le Balze"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Isola delle Falcole 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Le Falcole"
Grippy tannins wrap around some purple and red fruits, balsamic and subtle oak flavours.  (BETTER)

Istine 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigna Casanova dell'Aia ... GOOD

La Sala del Torriano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Il Torriano" ... GOOD

Lamole di Lamole 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigneto di Campolungo" ... GOOD

Le Filigare 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Lorenzo" ... GOOD

Le Fonti / Panzano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Le Fonti"
A little reductive, but it has some possibilities. The fruit turns out to be quite vibrant with sandalwood and sweet black cherry mingle with balsamic strawberries.  (BETTER)

Le Miccine 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
A juicy ensemble of flavours.  (BETTER)

Monteraponi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Nittardi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
First foray into the selezione and Nittardi has hit a solid triple - the fruit is bright and clean and the flavour profile: lovely.  (BEST)

Oliviera 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Sandro Bandini" ... GOOD

Ormanni 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Pieve de Campoli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Cortine" ... GOOD

Poggio al Sole 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Casasilia" ... GOOD

GS Poggio al SolePoggio al Sole 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Casasillia"
Nice fruit core with delicate spice and a medium range of acidity.  (BETTER)

Principe Corsini / Villa Le Corti 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Don Tommaso"
Bright fruit, ripe cherry, bold acidity, red currants and red plums.  (BETTER)

Renzo Marinai 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Ricasoli 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Castello di Brolio"
- no notes written down - (BETTER)

Rignana 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Villa di Rignana"
The fruit is ripe and dark, but there is also nice acidity backing it all up - rich style but it works.  (BETTER)

Rocca di Montegrossi 2018 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigneto San Marcellino" GS Rocca
Good fruit, nice juiciness, good acidity - balanced and elegant.  (BETTER)

San Felice 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Il Grigio" ... GOOD

San Leonino 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Salivolpe"
Fun and juicy with a little graphite thrown in. Tannins grip and the acidity helps keep it honest - this one needs a couple of years still.  (BETTER)

Tenuta Casenuove 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione ... GOOD

Tenuta di Arceno 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Strada al Sasso"
Nice fruit core - good acidity - tannins lie in the background pleasantly. Nothing seems out of place.  (BETTER)

Terreno 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Asofia" ... GOOD

Tolaini 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Vigna Montebello Sette" ... GOOD

GS TorraciaTorraccia di Presura 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
Plum and balck fruit meet a hint of chocolate with some white smoke and cedar.  (BETTER)

Vallepicciola 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Lapina" ... GOOD

Villa Mangiacane 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Z District" ... GOOD

Viticcio 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione - "Prunaio" ... GOOD

 

Report from : Chianti Classico Riserva 2024 Anteprima

30 Sep 2024

To be totally honest, the Riserva part of the Chianti Classico tasting is probably my least favourite. I kind of wish this segment of the category would morph into single vineyard, single plot or something else interesting without having to spend more time in oak – (does that extra year really create a better wine, or just a woodier one?). While changes are afoot in Chianti Classico to sub-divide the region; it would also be good to look at this regulation and drag this category into an era that does not see more oak as a better wine.

That said, there are some fine examples of the wine. I tasted 37, 26 made the cut – that said, I was also very selective about what I chose to taste; that’s what years of experience brings (knowledge).

_____________________

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


Antinori 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Marchesi Antinori" ... GOOD

Antinori 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Villa Antinori" ... GOOD

Badia a Coltibuono 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Banfi 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Juicy, drinkable, dark fruited and slightly spicy. The acidity is clean and bright.  (BETTER)

Borgo Salcetino 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Lucarello" ... GOOD

Borgo Scopeto 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Vigna Misciano" ... GOOD

Brancaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva CCR Brancaia small
It has some wood notes but there is some freshness of fruit to back it up.  (BETTER)

Cafaggio 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Spicy dark fruit with firm tannins and spice on the finish.  (BETTER)

Caparsa 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Doccio a Matteo"
- Barrel Sample : rated on potential - ... GOOD

Castellare di Castellina 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Castellare" ... GOOD

CCR Di Ama smallCastello di Ama 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Montebuoni"
Dark fruit, mocha, black cherry, herbs and spices all play across the tongue - nice balance and structure.  (BETTER)

Castello di Gabbiano 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Castello di Monterinaldi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

Castello Vicchiomaggio 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Agostino Petri" ... GOOD

Dievole 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Novecento" CCR Dievole small
Plum and blackish fruit at its core, the wood hangs around but its a bit player - acidity balances.  (BEST)

Famiglia Zingarelli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Tenuta Le Macie Sergioveto" ... GOOD

Felsina 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Rancia"
- no notes written down - ... (BETTER)

Frescobaldi 2019 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Tenuta Perano" ... GOOD

La Lama 2017 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Terzo Movimento" ... GOOD

Poggio Borgoni 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Borromeo"
- Barrel Sample : rated on potential - ... (BETTER)

Querciabella 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva CCR Querciabella small
Juicy red fruit ... lovely acidity ... perky and playful.  (BEST)

Ricasoli 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Brolio" ... GOOD

Rocca delle Macie 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva ... GOOD

CCR Ruffino smallRuffino 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Riserva Ducale"
Acidity pops right off the hop, nice spice, good fruit core. Has a few years ahead of it.  (BETTER)

San Felice 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "Il Grigio" ... GOOD

Tenuta di Nozzole 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva "La Forra"
Mocha start, good acidity. plum and spice. long finish.  (BETTER)

 

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