Chianti Classico new releases: Best buys in 2022

As I typically visit Tuscany several times a year, it was a long 18 months before I was able to get back to her cherished hills in autumn 2021. I returned again in March of this year for the region’s annual preview of new releases.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the best Chianti Classico releases 2022

In Chianti Classico, the ‘Collection’ tasting featured 650 labels from 180 estates.

I made a reasonable dent in those numbers, rounding out the two-day event with visits to producers and trying well over 200 wines.

With successes in every category and throughout vintages, Chianti Classico impressed above all with its commitment to organics. A whopping 52.5% of its vineyards are now certified, with many more currently in conversion.

Vino Nobile’s anteprima was more contained, with a blind tasting featuring approximately 40 wines from the most recent vintages. I supplemented this by calling in at a handful of estates, soaking up the landscape I had sorely missed while I sipped on some magnificent 2019s.

Both regions were abuzz with their respective new subdivisions, which provided a backdrop for a deeper-than-ever dive into their multifaceted territories.

Read Michaela’s other Tuscan vintage reports in 2022:

Brunello di Montalcino 2017 vintage report and top-scoring wines

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 vintage report and top-scoring wines

Chianti Classico 2020 & 2019: New releases

Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 & late releases

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019 & 2018: New releases

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2019 & Riserva 2018: Vintage report

About Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico has a three-tier classification: annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione.

Quality has improved dramatically in the 25 years since producers were first allowed to make pure Sangiovese wines (since 1996). Marking another step up in quality, white grapes were banned in 2005.

In 2014, the Gran Selezione category was introduced to much fanfare, although a proportion of producers remain sceptical and prefer to bottle their top wines as Riserva – or even IGT – instead.

Which Chianti Classico wines should I buy in 2022?

Standout & up-and-coming Chianti Classico producers

Cigliano di Sopra: 20-somethings Maddalena Fucile and Matteo Vaccari represent Chianti Classico’s bright and dynamic future.

Le Cinciole: One of Chianti Classico’s early adopters of organic viticulture, this under-the-radar Panzano estate offers precise, soulful wines.

Istine: Angela Fronti is undoubtedly one of Chianti Classico’s top producers and her trio of single-vineyard bottlings is not to be missed.

Querciabella: Querciabella’s new releases are a grand demonstration of Chianti Classico’s three tiers across the 2019, 2018 and 2017 vintages.

Montesecondo: Silvio Messana’s wines falls firmly into the natural category and challenge the old guard of Chianti Classico.

Value picks

Bibbiano, Chianti Classico 2020: Generous and characterful, this sings delightfully of place.

Brancaia, Chianti Classico 2020: Refreshingly unoaked, this exudes Sangiovese’s vibrant mid-weight charms.

Castello di Gabbiano, Chianti Classico 2020: A perennial great value pick, Gabbiano’s annata over-delivers more than ever in 2019.

Ormanni, Chianti Classico 2019: With a lightness of touch, Ormanni is not without intriguing fruity depths.

Villa Le Corti, Chianti Classico 2019: Robust and chewy, Villa Le Corti packs in a lot for a very reasonable price.

Michaela’s favourite newly-released Chianti Classicos

Riecine, Vigna Gittori, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019: An impressive first-ever Gran Selezione from Riecine exhibiting grace over brawn.

Fontodi, Terrazze San Leolino, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019: A new wine for Fontodi, the estate’s second Gran Selezione is a profound, mineral-driven follow up.

Maurizio Alongi, Vigna Barbischio, Chianti Classico Riserva 2019: Rising star Alongi produces one single, savoury, properly structured wine that deserves a place in the cellar.

Tenuta di Carleone, Chianti Classico 2019: Unfussy, gorgeously expressive, crunchy Sangiovese crafted by iconoclast winemaker Sean O’Callaghan.

Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico 2019: This well-known, perpetually over-performing annata simply exudes the region – a must-buy in 2019.

Chianti Classico releases 2022: Top scorers

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