New Chianti Classico releases 2023: Top recommendations & best-value picks

‘Full of adrenaline’ is how Matteo Vaccari of Cigliano di Sopra described the newly released 2021 Chianti Classico annata. That rush of excitement was palpable throughout the entire ‘Chianti Classico Collection’ anteprime event in Florence this year – and without any Covid restrictions, it was back to a full house.

My verdict after trying well over 200 wines across the annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione categories? Quality continues to soar – as does the number of certified organic wines.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for Michaela’s favourite new Chianti releases

Chianti Classico 2023 reports:

Chianti Classico Annata: New releases in 2023

Chianti Classico Riserva: New releases in 2023

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: New releases in 2023

Chianti Classico new releases: Top recommendations

Istine, Vigna Casanova dell’Aia, Chianti Classico 2020: It’s hard to pick a favourite among Angela Fronti’s classy single-vineyard bottlings; perhaps the tangy and precise Casanova dell’Aia in 2020.

Maurizio Alongi, Vigna Barbischio, Chianti Classico Riserva 2020: As with last year, Alongi’s finessed Vigna Barbischio leads the Riserva pack.

Podere Il Palazzino, Grosso Sanese, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016: Unwaveringly 100% Sangiovese since its inception as a Vino da Tavola in the ’80s, Grosso Sanese deserves its place in the upper echelon of Chianti Classico.

La Montanina, Chianti Classico Riserva 2020: Quite simply, this leaped out of the tasting for its gorgeously evocative fragrances and exquisitely balanced structure.

Terreno, Sillano, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019: The first ever vintage of this single-vineyard selection from up-and-comer, Sofia Ruhne is a stunner.

Poggerino, Chianti Classico 2021: A delicious example of just how serious Chianti Classico annata can be.

Chianti Classico new releases: Best value

Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico 2021 I’d bet on a few years in the cellar for this over-achieving annata.

Monte Bernardi, Retromarcia, Chianti Classico 2021 Low-intervention winemaking, clean and pure, with extraordinary buoyancy in this denser vintage.

Principe Corsini, Le Corti, Chianti Classico 2021 This carries the warmth of the vintage with pizzazz and packs in plenty of personality for the price.

Le Cinciole, Chianti Classico 2019 Far from an ‘entry-level’ wine, Le Cinciole’s annata is a gorgeous, detailed expression of Panzano.

Chianti Classico: Top recommendations and best-value picks from 2023’s new releases

The wines are listed first by top recommendations then by best-value

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