Report from Anteprima Toscana 2026: Chianti Lovers
02 Sep 2026- Details
- Category: Wine Reviews
(February 2026) ... Now it's time to look into the wines from Chianti Lovers - outside the border of the Chianti Classico area. Here we look at wines that bear the "chianti" name and label, but without the black rooster on its throat.
I tasted selected wines from a variety of these regions.
The usual Good / Better / Best is used here with full tasting notes given on wines that are rated BETTER and above.
BARREL samples in any category have no finished notes because they are unfinished wines.
I also have a brief "personal note" about three of the vintages following the scoring below.
BETTER-plus
Banfi 2024 Chianti Superiore DOCG
Cherry, blueberry, good spice, nice acidity - simplicity and tasty in the same package.
Borgo Macereto 2023 Musica (barrel)
Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva
Castello Gabbiano 2025 Chianti DOCG (barrel)
Fattoria Lavacchio 2023 Cedro (barrel)
Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva
BETTER 
Bonacchi 2025 Gentilesco - Chianti DOCG (barrel)
Castello di Poppiano Conte Gucciardini 2024 Il Castelvecchio (barrel)
Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG
Castelvecchio in San Casciano Val di Pesa 2023 Vigna La Quercia (barrel)
Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva
Floral with finesse, juicy red fruit, red licorice, hint of something savoury on the finish with lovely acidity - quite charming.
Colognole 2024 Chianti Rufina DOCG (barrel)
Petraserena 2024 Torri - Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG (barrel)
Ruffino 2024 La Solatia - Chianti Superiore DOCG
Another juicy offering from the '24 vintage - juicy, fruit-driven, nice acidity, balanced and fun.
Ruffino 2025 "1887" - Chianti DOCG (barrel)
Salcheto 2025 Biskero - Chianti DOCG (barrel)
GOOD-plus
Castelvecchio in San Casciano Val di Pesa 2024 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG (barrel)
Colognole 2024 Sinopie - Chianti Superiore DOCG
Fattoria Giannozzi 2024 Villa Marcialla Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG (barrel)
Fattorie Giannozzi 2023 Villa Marcialla Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva (barrel)
Fibbiano 2024 Casalini - Chianti Superiore DOCG (barrel)
Frascole 2023 Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva (barrel)
Frascole 2024 Chianti Rufina DOCG (barrel)
Masi Renzo & C / Fattoria di Basciano 2024 Chianti Rufina DOCG
Piccini 2025 Chianti DOCG (barrel)
Tenuta San Vito in Fior di Selva 2024 Darno - Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG
Tenute Sette Ponti 2024 Vigna di Pallino - Chianti Superiore DOCG
Uggiano 2024 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG
Villa Travignoli 2023 Tegolaia - Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva (barrel)
GOOD
Fattoria San Michele a Torri 2023 San Giovanni - Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva (barrel)
Fattoria San Michele a Torri 2024 Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG (barrel)
Geografico 2024 Borgo alla Terra - Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG (barrel)
Marchesi Gondi 2023 Pian dei Sorbi - Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva (barrel)
Marchesi Gondi 2024 San Giuliano - Chianti Rufina DOCG (barrel)
Piccini 2025 Collezione Oro - Governo all'uso Toscano, Chianti DOCG (barrel)
Pietraserena 2023 Caulio - Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG Riserva (barrel)
Valvirginio 2024 Collerosso - Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG (barrel)
Villa Travignoli 2024 Chianti Rufina DOCG
Personal Notes: 2025 / 2024 juicy and easy-drinking vintages; 2023: more structured, more complex but with good fruit and longevity.
