Chianti Classico: Panel tasting results

Founded in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Henry Mariani, Banfi is now one of Tuscany’s largest producers. With more than 40ha planted in Castellina, the best grapes are selected for this Gran Selezione, a 100% Sangiovese fermented in stainless steel then aged in French oak barrels and bottle for 30 months. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Fragrant – tea leaves, red cherries and a hint of leather. Tart red fruit on the palate, a hint of earthiness adds interest. Well structured and balanced. Sara Bachiorri: Dark cherry, chocolate, parsley and Mediterranean herbs. Polished and showy. High acidity and alcohol. Rich and full-bodied. Jason Millar: Deep, ripe fruit. Dense tannin. Integrated and complex, with fine cherry fruit. Serious, and seriously long: world class. Tea leaf and damson on the long finish. Needs time.

With origins dating back to 1090, this estate was purchased by Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards in 2013. Novecento was first conceived to celebrate the estate’s 900th anniversary. It’s made from 95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo and 2% Colorino sourced from a vineyard located between 300m and 420m, and composed of alberese (limestone), clay and galestro (schist-based) soils. It’s fermented in cement vats and aged for 17 months in 41hl untoasted French oak casks. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Red berries and plums are surrounded by layers of spice and smoke. More bottle-aged flavours in the mouth, along with bracing acidity. Sara Bachiorri: Dried Mediterranean herbs, red and dark fruit, dark chocolate. Ripe, fine-grained tannins. Lots of structure, still youthful, with a long finish. Jason Millar: Worcestershire sauce and tomato. A fresh and vibrant palate. Varietally pure; a savoury Sangiovese note with a hint of medicinal fennel. Concentrated. Needs food.

Located in the heart of Chianti Classico and once owned by Renaissance artist Michelangelo, Nittardi has been owned by Peter Femfert and his wife since 1981. The Gran Selezione is sourced from the Vigna Alta vineyard at 500m with soils composed of alberese and galestro. 100% Sangiovese, it’s fermented in stainless steel with 24 months of ageing in 500L French and Austrian barrels, 20% new, then six months in concrete. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Layers of red cherries, wood spice, cedar and smoke on both nose and palate. Full-bodied. Thick tannins and smooth, balanced acidity. Sara Bachiorri: Cured meat, fresh and dried dark and red fruit. Leather, tobacco and spices on the long finish. A wine for an important, meaty main course. Complex and entertaining. Jason Millar: An ambitious, modern style. Blackberries on buttered toast on the nose, then a dense, chewy palate with black fruit concentration and tea leaves.

From a small family estate near Castellina, now run by Monica Raspi, who left her career as a veterinarian in 2007 to take over the farm from her parents. Run organically, the 6ha vineyard is located at 350m and is composed mostly of alberese soils. 100% Sangiovese is fermented in stainless steel and aged for 15 months in 20hl Slavonian oak, followed by nine months in cement and at least six months in bottle. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Red cherries, raspberries, tea leaves and a hint of iodine. Woodsmoke and mushrooms complement the palate. Sara Bachiorri: New leather, tea leaves, dried cherries. Medium body, good acidity. Elegant and refined. Smooth tannins and a long finish. Jason Millar: Bright, lively cherry fruit with lift and delicacy. Compact, fresh and pure. A touch of nutmeg. Very drinkable. Should unfurl beautifully with time.

Notes of tomato puree, red peppers and balsamic on the nose. The palate is rich, with leather, tobacco and dark fruit, balanced by firm tannins and a grainy finish. Mouthfilling, long-lasting and promising a strong future.

Floral aromas with hints of dried herbs. Palate offers concentrated dark fruits, sweet spices and ripe tannins. High acidity and alcohol give a tight structure. Fresh cherry and raspberry notes. A lengthy finish.

Earthy aromas of mushrooms and bark, with ripe cherries, plums and toast. Full-bodied, with high acidity and well-integrated alcohol. Fine-grained tannins. Raspberries, currants and mature leather notes. Crisp, refreshing finish.

Sweet, dark fruit, spices, chocolate and cedar. Intense and concentrated. Round and rich, the alcohol balanced by acidity and smooth tannins. Juicy red berries, rosemary, crisp acidity,and a bold, chunky palate with black cherry, blackberry, and balsamic notes.

Powerful and modern. Baked fruit, smoke, dried herbs, balsamic, dried cherry and orange zest. The palate offers raspberries, cloves and nutmeg, with fine, grainy tannins. Persistent finish with umami, iodine and savoury notes

Aromas of coffee and toast. Dark and red berries, Morello cherry, cranberry, chocolate and cedar on the palate. Full-bodied with ripe, fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity. The long, layered finish is complemented by savoury notes of mushrooms, leather and some liquorice. Crisp and refreshing.

Black forest compote and balsamic notes with high acidity, fine-grained tannins and high alcohol. Full-bodied, rich and savoury with bark, meat, dark chocolate, coffee bean and dried thyme. Robust, structured. Needs food.

Sweet, slightly oxidised aromas of prunes, Morello cherries, mushrooms and salted chocolate. Chewy, mouthcoating tannins and crisp acidity. Big, showy and rich, with vanilla, raspberries and toasty oak. Well framed, with a long, balanced finish.

Red cherry, plum and wild strawberry with sweet spices, vanilla, and a hint of nutmeg. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity create a velvety mouthfeel. Balanced, elegant and refined, with notes of cranberry and tomato puree. Lingering, stylish finish.

Aromas of bacon, cured meat and herbs lead to a palate of ripe cherry, tobacco, leather and mushrooms. Velvety and elegant, the alcohol balanced by acidity and smooth tannins. Earthy, mouthfilling, with fine structure, a long finish and a hint of bay leaf.

Leather, dried berries, dark chocolate and cherry tart. High acidity, well-integrated alcohol and smooth tannins. Red fruit, elevated oak and a lean mid-palate. Finishes with sandalwood, strawberry and blood orange. Long and richly structured.

Bakewell tart, ripe fruit, dried herbs, tomato paste and a touch of brett. Dense and rich, with ripe tannins, balanced alcohol and acidity, and good length.

Smoke and forest fruit with a hint of mint. Extracted and big but youthful. Plummy, with ripe red fruits and some savoury notes, spice, smoke and a hint of fennel. Concentrated, with great acidity.

Restrained aromas of ripe red fruit. On the palate, umami and cured meat. Bright acidity, firm tannins. Vibrant and youthful, with glossy black fruit and an intense structure.

Sweet dark fruit, baked plums, Morello cherries, dark chocolate and some oak. Dense and extracted, with grippy tannins, good acidity and a lingering finish.

Evolved leather, black pepper and balsamic aromas. Bright acidity and powdery tannins. Aromatic sour cherries, raspberries, mushrooms and sage. Good fruit concentration.

Aromas of forest floor, Mediterranean herbs and tea leaves. A taut palate with plenty of tannin, vibrant acidity, red fruit and an elegant finish with mint and fennel notes.

Plums, dried cherries and vanilla. Big, punchy and youthful, with great potential. Subtle notes of plums, cherries, clove and cedar. Dense palate with firm, chalky tannins.

Shy nose with wood spice and concentrated red fruit. Bright cherry, red plum and cranberry flavours. Fine-grained, grippy tannins and brisk acidity. Long, with a youthful finish.

Cooked red fruits and plums on the nose. Palate offers dense sweet cherry, sweet spices, cocoa nibs, soy, mushrooms and dried fig. Excellent acidity, smooth tannins and well-integrated alcohol.

Sweet oak and toffee with dried berries and coffee powder. Expressive red cherries, smoke and dried rosemary. Ripe, fine-grained tannins. Big, powerful and balanced, with a warm finish.

Dates, dark fruit and a touch of vanilla. Medium body, good acidity and fine-grained tannins. Concentrated red and black fruit, smoke and cloves with earthy notes. A bold style with solid acidity and harmonious balsamic and liquorice notes.

Dried flower, dried berry and dark chocolate aromas. Black and red plums, cloves, creamy oak and leather. Dense and powerful, with ripe fruit, smooth tannins and lifted acidity.

Aromas of dried flowers and sweet berries. Dark cherry and balsamic notes. Chewy tannins. A touch of spice and iron on the finish. Savoury, with good structure and length.

Sweet spices, dark fruits – mulberries and cherries – with a touch of smoke. Robust and mouthfilling. Brisk acidity, gripping tannins. Delicate red and black fruit. Supple, juicy and elegant.

Morello cherries, plums, pepper, liquorice and leather. Intense and balanced with smoky notes, rounded tannins, good acidity and a long finish.

Evolved aromas of mushrooms, walnuts and caramel. Flavours of dates, tobacco and dried fruit. Brisk acidity, firm tannins. Rich but slightly oxidised, with a warm, tart finish.

Good concentration, with ripe red fruit and spices. Smooth tannins. Red and black fruit with smoke, leather and dried porcini. Rich, broad and approachable.

Floral and red berry notes, dried berries, along with evolved aromas of leather, dried mushrooms and wet leaves. Spicy, with ripe tannins, juicy acidity and a slightly drying finish.

Moss and wild berries on the nose, along with dark chocolate and sweet spices. Jammy red fruit, dried mushrooms, vibrant acidity and smooth tannins. Youthful, with great length and energy.

Smoky, bretty aromas with dark fruit, mulberries and plums. Fine, grippy tannins, vibrant acidity, pure fruit and a warm finish.

Sweet cherry, leather, vanilla and nutmeg. Smooth tannins. Juicy red cherry, tea leaves and fresh acidity. Spicy notes, supple texture and fine-grained tannins with energetic fruit persistence.

Dried cherries, dates, oak, leather, wet leaves and French toast. Good fruit concentration, a smooth mouthfeel, vibrant acidity and a long finish. Robust tannins need some time to resolve.