Tuscany latest releases: Value picks from Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino
Michaela Morris shares where to find the good value choices from her Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino tastings...
For her latest release Tuscany report Michaela Morris found ‘much to be positive about’ as she tasted hundreds of wines from across the Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano categories.
As well as selecting her top scoring wines from each DOCG and highlighting the stand-out producers in each region she has come up with her ‘value picks’ from Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino.
There are no such picks from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as Morris found that ‘prices are quite consistent among Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the less expensive wines don’t generally represent the best quality’.
Looking across the board at the categories Morris says that ‘the quality of Chianti Classico’s new releases is very high, while in Brunello di Montalcino ‘there are plenty worth buying’ and the 2015 vintage is ‘ideal in a world of immediate gratification. She praised Vino Nobile di Montepulciano’s top-scoring producers for making ‘some very good wines’ even in a tough vintage like 2017.
View the full Chianti Classico report
View the vintage report & top scoring Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino wines
Michaela Morris’ value picks (tasting notes below):
Chianti Classico:
- Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2018: A sincere and cheerful certified organic wine embracing indigenous grapes.
- Bibbiano Chianti Classico 2018: Sangiovese ‘without make-up’, aged in cement rather than oak.
- Le Cinciole Chianti Classico 2016: From the outstanding 2016 vintage this over-delivers for its category and has the bones to age mid-term.
Brunello di Montalcino:
- Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2015: Certified organic and built to last.
- Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2015: Evocatively scented, juicy and light on its feet but packed with seductive flavour.
- Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2015: Rich and generous, while preserving freshness and structure.
Introduction copy by Chris Wilson.
Talenti, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2015
Talenti's Brunello is assembled from five different vineyards between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. With varying soils, they also range in altitude from 250...
2015
TalentiBrunello di Montalcino
Le Cinciole, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2016
In 1991 Luca and Valeria Orsini left their jobs in Milan to make wine in Tuscany. Their estate includes 10 hectares of southeast facing vineyards...
2016
Le CincioleChianti Classico
Bibbiano, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
88
Crafted from Bibbiano's diverse plots extending over 30 hectares, this blends grapes from cooler northeastern exposed vineyards with warmer, sun-soaked southwestern facing sites. Aged in concrete vats rather than oak, it offers nice purity and focus. Mid-weight with a lightness of texture, sour red cherry and finely powdered tannins. Not a ton of length but all components are well-proportioned and in the right place. Makes for a very drinkable-now package.
2018
BibbianoChianti Classico
Rocca di Castagnoli, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
87
Winemaker Daniele Pagni says that the summer rains complicated the work in the cellar. As the the grape seeds weren't perfectly ripe, he gave a more delicate extraction with less frequent pump overs to avoid bitterness. While tannins are rather slender, this puts the emphasis on the mouth filling summer berries. A cheerful wine that will give plenty of upfront pleasure but best in the next 2 to 3 years.
2018
Rocca di CastagnoliChianti Classico
