Chianti Classico annata new releases: The wines to buy in 2025

Widowed in 1985, Princess Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa immediately took charge of the estate. She gleaned knowledge from the best consultants and continues to work with Federico Starderini (think Poggio di Sotto) today. Direction and decisions are always ultimately and unequivocally hers. The 2020 evokes that resolve – as well as the region’s wild terrain and luminous ambience. Sundried cherry, dusty earth, scrubby brush and a touch of meat swirl from the glass. The palate is packed with substance and flavour, intersected by a tingly spine of acidity. It delivers sunshine, with firm structure all the way through the long, stony-mineral finish.

A relatively new and absolutely stellar bottling from a single vineyard purchased in December 2018. MB stands for Marcello Bartolini, whose family cultivated the plot for almost 50 years, while 1933 represents the year it was planted. A co-ferment of 10 native grapes, it wafts with gorgeously heady jasmine, bougainvillea and raspberry blossom. Light in weight yet prolific and intricate in flavours, the palate conveys ginger, orange zest, fleshy apricot and crunchy red plum. This is thrillingly rustic in grip, with some salty minerals to finish. Don't expect polish and sophistication – instead, be prepared to be transported to a long bygone era.

Castello di Monsanto inverts Chianti Classico’s pyramid with this annata bottling, producing only one bottle for every four of Riserva. It was also only introduced decades after the latter, in 1990. The 2023 demonstrates the estate’s tight knit signature while remaining friendly and accessible. Flint, graphite and wild purple flowers entice on the nose, and the palate pops with fruit purity. Dark bramble berries are underscored by succulent acidity, and silky tannins grip subtly as this lingers with zesty citrus. Just delicious.

The estate’s annata is crafted from the largest bunches with the biggest berries. In 2023, this meant finishing harvest a bit sooner than desired as the grapes started to lose juice due to the heat. The resulting wine shows an initial immediacy of ripe but pure raspberry and strawberry with accents redolent of warm sand. Fruit intensity is balanced by savoury nuances on the palate, and the fine, grainy tannins are marvellously tactile but still quite demanding. While far from easygoing, this has great capacity to reward over the next seven to eight years.

With 20 of its 110 hectares in the western sector of Panzano, Fontodi ended up losing over 20% of its total volume of grapes in the violent mid-August hailstorm. Despite reduced quantities, quality certainly wasn’t compromised. The hot, arid summer has yielded a particularly dense and still somewhat austere wine. Coffee, blackcurrant and dusty stone surface furtively on the nose. Powerful and hearty with just enough of a wild edge, this is saturated with dark fruit and gravelly minerals. The tannins are properly chewy. but it is that intrinsic juiciness that stands out and has me craving a grilled steak.

The ‘Terra di Lamole’ bottling hails from three terraced plots between 450 to 550 metres. It includes the estate’s old-vine Canaiolo Nero from plantings dating back to 1969. Ageing is in a combination of cement vats and used tonneaux. It soars with Lamole’s enchanting perfumes – a medley of iris, mint, tarragon and lavender. Seemingly delicate, it possesses depth, density and a striking mouthful of stones. Succulent acidity is assimilated into the crunchy red berry core, and the tannins are light and fine yet persistent. A simply gorgeous Chianti Classico that highly warrants being sought out.

From a single vineyard at 650 metres, one of the highest in Chianti Classico. Among the 80-year-old Sangiovese vines are a smattering of other indigenous grapes – and one single plant of Cabernet Sauvignon. All are co-fermented to produce fewer than 1,000 bottles. Gorgeous fragrances of white pepper, dog rose, brushwood and cranberry introduce the wine. Midweight and understated in power, its lean flesh clings to taut and slender tannins like a tightly drawn elastic. The acidity is crisp and stony. Floral nuances repeat with rose and iris root, and wild red berries burst on the finish.

Owners Luca Orsini and Valeria Vignano say that 2021 was the first time since establishing the winery in 1992 that their vineyards were hit by frost, and they estimate an overall loss of 30%. But quality-wise, the annata is top-notch! It is discreet yet attractively floral, with sprightly pepper and redcurrant scents. The palate offers depth with lightness, brightness and crunch. Pristine red berries meet stony minerals. The tannins are suave and chalky in texture, giving a gracious yet confident backbone. All is effortlessly in harmony. Lovely and quite simple delicious.

Piero Lanza managed to come out relatively unscathed by peronospora attacks in 2023. A perennial over-achiever, even in this challenging vintage, the annata exhibits exceptional complexity for this level without sacrificing brightness or drinkability. Pristine and vivacious, it launches with dark cherry, tea leaf, lavender and violet scents. The palate follows with gumption; juicy, fleshy fruit is underscored by Radda’s crisp acidity and rocky minerals. Sweet tannins are decidedly chalky in texture. It closes with a liquorice twist.

Marco called the 2022 harvest ‘a slalom’ between heavy showers at the end of September. He managed to get in most of the grapes for his annata before a localised hailstorm on the 29th. It saw less time in wood but longer before bottling, and was well worth the wait. Exhibiting spectacular purity and vivacity, the nose is a cornucopia of dark purple fruit scented with violet and lilac. This scrumptious mouthful is almost grapey in flavour with a ton of fruit sweetness. Black cherry and boysenberry meet plush, velvety tannins you can sink your teeth into. Succulent acidity buoys all that fleshiness, and hints of pepper flit throughout. A must-buy!

Overreaching its annata categorisation, the estate’s single Chianti Classico bottling showcases Sangiovese in purezza. It captures the freshness and clarity of the cool, forested heights even in this hot, arid vintage. Beyond the glorious perfumes of cardamom, juniper and orange zest, the palate is where this really shines. Midweight with a redcurrant, raspberry crunch and tangy mineral depths. Chalky tannins are long and layered, clinging firmly in all the right places and lending ample textural drama. It rings out with energy and agility.

To soften Radda’s racy acidity and ‘grumpy tannins’, Roberto Bianchi vinifies with whole berries. He also uses a type of submerged cap maceration for 40% of the mass. The separate lots are blended before long ageing in 30-hectolitre casks. Despite its deeper-than-usual hue, the 2022 flaunts its signature appetising aromas. Raspberry, strawberry blossom, cranberry bush and juniper waft in succession. The palate too is more densely weighted than previous vintages, though this is relative as it still lands nimbly in the midweight category. So much inner tanginess and tautness, with powdery tannins clearly drawn around the edges.

Made since 1972, Badia a Coltibuoni’s ambassador bottling remains as true to its style as it does to expression of place. It always includes small but varying proportions of Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. As evocatively scented as ever, the 2022 wafts with strawberry blossom, rose, mint and fennel. The palate is midweight and linear, with a profusion of minerals ricocheting from the red cherry and pomegranate backdrop. Powdery tannins provide a sophisticated backbone that grips securely on the finish without over-imposing.

This exuberant and characterful Chianti Classico sees a spontaneous fermentation with approximately 50% whole-bunch fruit and a maceration of 25 days. Ageing is in small used casks. The nose is an explosive abundance of spiced plum, wild blackberry and tarragon. There is satisfying fruit density as well as brightness, lightness and vigour. Preserved strawberry is infused with sweet herbs, and the pliant fruit tannins are well-embedded, giving further texture and a gracious grip. Zesty and persistent. Just 10,000 bottles made.

This renowned estate puts out one of the vintage’s best value annata wines in 2023. Offering complexity and sense of place, it is so emblematic of the warm southeastern reaches of Castelnuovo Berardenga, where diverse terrains converge. Subtle toasty and vanilla top notes are joined by baked earth, dried scrub and grilled thyme. The well endowed palate proposes dark cherry and plum, and the round, supple fruit is corseted by dry, decisive tannins. Wood accents are well-placed throughout, and hints of mint and minerals linger on the finish. Above all, it retains freshness and vibrancy.

With a focus on single-vineyard IGT bottlings, Bertinga’s sole Chianti Classico comes from a steep, south-facing site at 500 metres. Matured in 25-hectolitre Austrian oak casks, the just-released 2022 is still in a reductive, surly state. After ample swirling, dense red berries and freshly turned earth emerge. Despite its medium weight, the palate packs some oomph with punchy, slightly bitter tannins and brisk, cranberry-esque acidity. Perhaps a bit over-zealous and tightly stitched, but there is fruit depth lurking and the wood nuances are well-embedded.

Cool heights upwards of 600 metres with sunny exposures from southwest through to southeast make for a well-defined, vibrant annata. Scents of pepper-inflected wild dark and redcurrants lead to a juicy mouthful, where that small pinch of Merlot lends fleshy plum to the mix. Frisky, citrussy acidity meets easy going, rounded tannins for a harmonious package. Cheerful and moreish, this is a trusty example from the Radda district.

Silvio Messana crafts a single Chianti Classico from his oldest vines, choosing the annata category rather than the loftier Riserva or Gran Selezione designations. The 2023 demonstrates his signature lightness of touch. Scents of brushwood, raspberry, redcurrants and rich earth emerge slowly but steadily. This is full of flavour and intrigue yet light on its feet. Bright, harmonious acidity buoys the whole, giving an uninterrupted easy flow. The sweet berry core is held in place by slender grape tannins, and the alcohol is a refreshingly modest 12.5%. I could drink a lot of this!

The Mazzei family has made considerable strides at the Gran Selezione level, honing the identity of the estate’s three distinct UGA bottlings. This is not, however, to the detriment of the annata. A flagbearer for the denomination, it hails from seven different sites between 220 and 570 metres. The 2022 shines brightly with dark red cherry underscored by mint, tarragon and nutmeg. Zesty, concentrated acidity sparks the palate, while polished tannins give a subtle gratifying chew. Clean, sleek and well-proportioned with plenty of flavour appeal.

Since the successful launch of Montalcino’s Castello Banfi in 1978, the Mariani family has expanded throughout Tuscany and beyond. The company’s base in Chianti Classico is in Castellina but grapes for this are sourced throughout the zone. The 2023 displays classic dusty cherry and strawberry with sweet garden herbs and earthy accents. Midweight and straightforward in appeal, it is pleasantly concentrated with red berry and floral charms. Bright and graciously structured, this satisfies – especially at a price that is easy to swallow.