Chianti Classico 2020 & 2019: New releases
Michaela Morris tastes the latest Chianti Classico 2020 & 2019 wines. Read her report plus tasting notes for 58 wines below.
The annata category represents approximately two-thirds of the Chianti Classico production and it has much to offer – from some of Italy’s best value, everyday drinking wines to some of the denomination’s top examples – such as Isole e Olena and Istine’s single-vineyard bottlings.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top Chianti Classico 2020 plus late releases from 2019 & 2018
The annual anteprime tasting typically takes place in mid-February, but with the rise of the Omicron variant last winter it was postponed by over a month to the end of March. During this period, many estates bottle their latest annata (which require a minimum of one year of ageing before release) in preparation for the Vinitaly trade show in Verona.
That delay of just a few weeks meant that there were more finished samples than usual. Between the many charming 2020 and numerous exciting late releases from 2019, it was hard to narrow down my recommendations.
I included a trio of 2018s not to be missed – from Le Cinciole, Val delle Corti and Castell’in Villa.
Chianti Classico 2020
Heavy rainfall late spring ended a long period without precipitation. Summer was dry and very warm without significant temperature extremes. Mid-September showers were scattered through the zone. Attractive annata with bright acidity and balanced alcohol are prime for near-term drinking.
4/5
See all 100 of Michaela’s Chianti Classico tasting notes & scores from her reports: annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione
2020 is a vintage that producers remember in great detail – for obvious reasons. Every grower I spoke to conveyed that the work in the vineyard offered reprieve during the long lockdown. While they would normally be travelling around the world to wine shows, for once they could dedicate 100% of their time to the vines. ‘It was a time to reflect,’ says Piero Lanza at Poggerino. ‘We had a beautiful spring. I remember being able to smell the aromas of ginestra.’
Budbreak was early, which is always stressful as the risk of frost damage increases. Thankfully the region was largely spared in 2020. Concern also surrounded the lack of rainfall. According to Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi at Rocca di Montegrossi in Gaiole, ‘from Christmas of 2019 until the end of May, precipitation was a rare occurrence.’
Temperatures, nevertheless, were cool and late spring brought adequate rainfall that replenished reserves. The vines marched on in regular step with annual norms. There were the necessary treatments against mildew but as Tim Manning at Montecalvi in Greve reported, ‘disease pressure was low.’
Summer was long and hot without significant heat spikes and it cooled off sufficiently at night. There was neither the hail nor major issues of water stress that plagued 2017, for example. Harvest was more or less at the same period as current averages – starting mid-September. A region-wide decrease in yields of 13% is attributed to cool April nights affecting budding. Nonetheless, some producers brought in more grapes than usual – ‘The year gave quantity and quality – two things that don’t usually go together,’ asserts Lanza.
See all of our Tuscany vintage reports
Variations
This contraction is the story of Chianti Classico. Given its diverse and hilly landscape, weather – particularly rain – varies from one valley to the next. When producers speak of a vintage, they speak of what happened in their specific pocket.
In the warm reaches of San Casciano, for example, Cigliano di Sopra’s Matteo Vaccari described the growing season as perfect, even too easy, and compared it to 2015. ‘The wine is powerful. It will need a lot of time.’
Conversely, to the south, in the hills of San Donato in Poggio, both Robin Mugnaini at Fattoria Le Masse and Laura Bianchi at Castello di Monsanto referenced mid-September rain. This meant bringing in some fruit early. ‘2020 doesn’t have the power of 2019 but the fruit was beautiful,’ says Bianchi, describing the wines as crunchy.
High up in the township of Gaiole, Alessandro Campatelli at Riecine pointed to a very short ripening window. Veraison started three weeks later than usual and instead of lasting a month was completed in two weeks. ‘There is lots of acidity and the alcohol is more contained compared to years like 2017, 2018 and 2019,’ he notes, adding that 2020 has less power.
Indeed, these variations were apparent in the wines. I enjoyed the fleshiness in examples from Cigliano di Sopra, Castagnoli and Castello La Leccia, and also appreciated trimmer, more delicate examples such as Arillo in Terrabianca, Podere Castellinuzza and Castello Monterinaldi. There is lovely acidity throughout and in many cases this gives more structure than the tannins. I also welcomed the overall balanced alcohol, which contributes immensely to the drinkability of these annata. They will offer enormous pleasure in the near-term.
Diego Finocchi at L’Erta di Radda adds further nuance to the discussion. At his estate in Radda, he recounts that the amount of rain was similar in 2019 and 2020 but it fell at different times. In 2019, refreshing showers at the end of August aided the grape’s development, while in 2020, there was little rainfall after late spring. ‘In 2019, I was able to do a longer maceration because the skins were very healthy, while in 2020, after 20 days I started to feel some bitterness coming through.’ So, according to Finocchi, the 2020 vintage required a skilled touch to manage any imbalances in ripening.
Chianti Classico comparison: 2020 vs 2019
Comparing 2020 with 2019, the latter delivers more aroma precision and flavour intensity. Additionally, while the tannins of 2019 aren’t massive, they give greater emphasis and frame and will ultimately carry the wines longer than the 2020. It remains to be seen if this will be demonstrated in later releases of 2020 annata, as well as Riserva and Gran Selezione bottlings.
Michaela’s top picks of Chianti Classico 2020 plus late releases from 2019 & 2018
See all 100 of Michaela’s Chianti Classico tasting notes & scores from her reports
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Istine, Vigna Cavarchione, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
The only one of Istine’s single-vineyard bottlings that hails from outside Radda, Vigna Cavarchione is located in the neighbouring township of Gaiole. It is east-...
2019
IstineChianti Classico
Istine, Casanova dell'Aia, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
As with Vigna Istine, Vigna Casanova dell’Aia is characterised by limestone marls of Alberese and Galestro, however it boasts a greater presence of clay which...
2019
IstineChianti Classico
Istine, Vigna Istine, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
The annata category seems ill-fitting for this complex wine from a steep 550m-high vineyard in the Radda sub-zone. Displaying an intoxicating nose of kirsch, botanicals...
2019
IstineChianti Classico
Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Owner Paolo di Marchi has not chased the current trend to increase the percentage of Sangiovese and continues to blend Canaiolo Nero and a small...
2019
Isole e OlenaChianti Classico
Tenuta di Carleone, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Sean O’Callaghan made singular, distinctive wines at Riecine - where he worked until 2016 - and he continues in the same vein at Radda’s Tenuta...
2019
Tenuta di CarleoneChianti Classico
L'Erta di Radda, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Erta di Radda’s owner and winemaker, Diego Finocchi includes a dollop of Canaiolo Nero in his annata to enhance floral and spice aromas as well...
2019
L'Erta di RaddaChianti Classico
Fontodi, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
This benchmark Panzano estate is still in the hands of long-time owner, Giovanni Manetti, but the new generation is very much in evidence: Manetti’s son...
2019
FontodiChianti Classico
Jurij Fiore e Figlia, PorcacciaMiseria, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Poggio Scalette’s Jurij Fiore launched his eponymous label with daughter Sara five years ago. They make tiny quantities of various bottlings from vineyards scattered around...
2019
Jurij Fiore e FigliaChianti Classico
Querciabella, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Under the supervision of talented winemaker Manfred Ing, Querciabella makes relatively high volumes of terrific wines such as this top-notch Chianti Classico, bursting with captivating...
2019
QuerciabellaChianti Classico
Castell’in Villa, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa has presided over Castell’in Villa with a resolute hand since 1971 and shows no sign of wavering. She likes body...
2018
Castell’in VillaChianti Classico
Le Cinciole, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
This gem of a producer located in Panzano should definitely be on your radar. Owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vignano don’t seek the limelight; they...
2018
Le CincioleChianti Classico
Fattoria Cigliano di Sopra, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Cigliano di Sopra should definitely be on Chianti Classico-lovers’ radars, despite a miniscule production of 10,000 bottles a year. Located in San Casciano, the estate...
2020
Fattoria Cigliano di SopraChianti Classico
Istine, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Istine's vineyards cover around 20 hectares between Radda in Chianti and Gaiole, at an average altitude of 500 metres on mainly rocky soil. Owner and...
2020
IstineChianti Classico
Montesecondo, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Montesecondo is part of an increasingly large group of small wineries that choose to pursue a minimalist approach: avoiding yeast addition, choosing concrete over oak,...
2020
MontesecondoChianti Classico
Badia A Coltibuono, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Owner and winemaker Roberto Stucchi describes 2019 as the only semi-hassle-free vintage in the last six years, void of any climatic trauma. He always manages...
2019
Badia A ColtibuonoChianti Classico
Fontodi, Filetta di Lamole, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
A textbook expression of the high-altitude Lamole terroir, offering suave perfumes of rose petals, cassis and a twist of iron. The palate is taut and...
2019
FontodiChianti Classico
Monterotondo, Vigna Vaggiolata, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
High up in the hills of Gaiole, Saverio Basagni crafts a mere 20,000 bottles of Chianti Classico from his five hectares. He uses a long...
2019
MonterotondoChianti Classico
Val delle Corti, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
Roberto Bianchi describes the ripening period in 2018 as unexpectedly long. After abundant rain in summer, multiple passages at harvest and a strict selection were...
2018
Val delle CortiChianti Classico
Poggerino, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Piero Lanza’s holdings sit on clay and Galestro as opposed to sandy soil as seen in other parts of Radda. His is a denser, darker...
2020
PoggerinoChianti Classico
Riecine, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
With vineyards between 400 and 600 metres above sea level in the commune of Gaiole, Riecine’s 2020 wears its high-altitude origins on its sleeve. Veraison...
2020
RiecineChianti Classico
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Grapes for this 2020 were picked in the last week of September, after abnormally warm conditions earlier in the month had time to subside. It...
2020
Rocca di MontegrossiChianti Classico
Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
The elegant 13th century Paneretta castle sits on the western edge of Chianti Classico, just a stone’s throw from Castello di Monsanto. It has been...
2019
Castello della PanerettaChianti Classico
Dievole, Petrignano, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Petrignano is a new wine for Dievole, the result of the estate’s collaboration with Chilean soil specialist, Pedro Parra. It comes from a recently planted...
2019
DievoleChianti Classico
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Susanna Fabbri’s modest 38,000-bottle production is divided between a number of labels but the backbone is this unoaked, unadorned Sangiovese in purezza. It comes from...
2019
I FabbriChianti Classico
Tenute Squarcialupi, Cosimo Bojola, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Squarcialupi’s limited-production bottling takes its name from the young Cosimo Bojola. During his oenology studies, Cosimo experimented with an alternative vinification for Sangiovese. Here, fermentation...
2019
Tenute SquarcialupiChianti Classico
Arillo in Terrabianca, Sacello, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Uncluttered by oak, this stainless steel-aged 100% Sangiovese captures all of Radda’s lovely perfume and finesse of structure. It hails from a 12-hectare vineyard rising...
2020
Arillo in TerrabiancaChianti Classico
Brancaia, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
A blend of estate fruit from Castellina and Radda, this is the only red from Brancaia that doesn’t see any oak. It shows intense red...
2020
BrancaiaChianti Classico
Castello di Ama, Ama, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
An expression of Castello di Ama’s young vines - 10 to 12 years old - Ama is aged in second passage barriques. The delightfully fruity...
2020
Castello di AmaChianti Classico
Fèlsina, Berardenga, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
In the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina’s expansive vineyards are at the luminous southeastern tip of Chianti Classico. The Berardenga label represents a plentiful annual...
2020
FèlsinaChianti Classico
Podere Castellinuzza, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
In the small, high-altitude hamlet of Lamole, Podere Castellinuzza makes a lovely, lacy and lifted Chianti Classico that highlights Sangiovese’s lighter side. Grapes are selected...
2020
Podere CastellinuzzaChianti Classico
Podere Poggio Scalette, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
On the breezy slope of the Ruffoli hill in Greve, Poggio Scalette’s vineyards extend from 410 to 585 metres on sandy, stony soil. Despite fermentation...
2020
Podere Poggio ScaletteChianti Classico
Castellinuzza e Piuca, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Crafted from just 2.5 hectares divided between two parcels in Lamole - the Castellinuzza vineyard at 500 metres; and the Piuca vineyard rising to 600...
2019
Castellinuzza e PiucaChianti Classico
Castello di Gabbiano, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
An exceptionally well-priced Chianti Classico, Gabbiano’s annata is sourced from the region’s warm northwestern commune of San Casciano. Upfront allspice, sweet thyme and tobacco leaf...
2019
Castello di GabbianoChianti Classico
Colle Bereto, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Colle Bereto’s 17 hectares of southwest-facing vineyards are located at around 500 metres above sea level on rocky, limestone-rich marl in the township of Radda....
2019
Colle BeretoChianti Classico
Fattoria Pomona, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Pomona is located at the far southern tip of Castellina, abutting the township of Vagliagli to the west. From her six hectares, Monica Raspi makes...
2019
Fattoria PomonaChianti Classico
Montecalvi, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Montecalvi changed hands in 2017 and now boasts Brit expat Tim Manning at the winemaking helm. He does a long post-fermentation maceration for a portion...
2019
MontecalviChianti Classico
Il Molino di Grace, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Twenty hectares of vineyard form a single plot around this Panzano estate. The soil is typical Galestro, as well as sandstone cemented with limestone, known...
2019
Il Molino di GraceChianti Classico
Ormanni, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Headquartered in the township of San Donato a Poggio, Ormanni has been owned by the same family for over 200 years. Once a 2,000ha estate,...
2019
OrmanniChianti Classico
Podere Capaccia, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
California winemaker Alyson Morgan has been leading the charge at Radda’s Podere Capaccia since 2015. She favours whole-berry fermentations and ages the annata in seasoned...
2019
Podere CapacciaChianti Classico
Podere Terreno, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Purchased by winemaker Giovanni Puccini in 2015, Podere Terreno is located on the Volpaia ridge of Radda. The six hectares sit at 540 metres on...
2019
Podere TerrenoChianti Classico
Principe Corsini Villa Le Corti, Villa Le Corti, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2019
Villa Le Corti is in the warm northwestern township of San Casciano Val di Pesa. Here, the soil is rich in heat-retaining round river stones,...
2019
Principe Corsini Villa Le CortiChianti Classico
