~ Chianti zones displayed on a map of Tuscany ~
Earlier this month, I published Current Chianti Vintage Report, Part 1 – a comprehensive look at market available wines that spanned 5 vintages.
The introduction to that article included links to previously published Harvest Report articles. Having just returned from Tuscany, I thought I’d begin this installment with the latest first hand observations.
Early Impressions – Harvest 2026
From Montalcino to various points in Chianti Classico, the season has begun well. The Winter of 25/26 was fairly even across Italy with snow and precipitation beneficial to the vines. As Spring arrived, so did the early warming trend that has not been unusual in recent years. March blossomed and the vines awoke too soon. When temperatures fell to normal in early April, frost became a concern. There was sporadic, if not mild damage to some vineyards. You can read more details in my Annual Harvest Report 2026.
Let’s get to Part 2!
Chianti Classico Tastings
Long time venerable producer Felsina makes some excellent wine. However, with the past few vintages in mind, that excellence appears reserved for the higher end labels.
2022 Felsina Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardenga) – This is a medium to light ruby in the glass with attractive aromas of cherry, spice and hints of rosemary. But that’s all I can say. In the mouth, this is boring, monolithic and rather bland. It’s a basic Sangiovese with little character, complexity or merit. It’s hard to write this – but I wonder about Felsina’s commitment to this “entry” level wine. Their dabbling with Chianti Colli Senesi and Paglierese might be watering this bottling down? Regardless, I can’t recommend this. 83 points.
~ This wine was a guaranteed 1/2 case purchase by me each vintage. Now, I happily bypass it ~
Since 1846, Badia a Coltibuono has belonged to the Stucchi Prinetti family. Since that time, six generations have continued its extraordinary legacy. In 1846, Florentine banker Michele Giuntini bought the beautiful property and quickly realized its amazing potential for agriculture. Today, Emanuela, Paolo and Roberto Stucchi Prinetti are the owners and guardians of the property.
2022 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico (Gaiole) – This wine stands in stark contrast to the Felsina. Everything absent from the Felsina is present here. And there’s freshness and balance in an otherwise hot and challenging vintage. Bright wild cherry marks the nose with sweet tobacco, tea leaves and turned earth. On the palate, the wine is juicy, ripe and fresh. The solid core of bright berry fruit contains a laser of fresh fennel. Framed by toasted spice, tobacco and earth, I love this. What a value. 91 points. A steal under $17. Find this wine.
~ This is a delicious wine from an iconic producer ~
In a land as ancient as Tuscany family lineage runs deep. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. However, what is unusual is for properties to be owned continuously by one family. Tenuta di Bibbiano is one such estate.
In 1865, the Marrochesi Marzi family founded Tenuta Bibbiano and has farmed the property since without interruption. Today, brothers Federico and Tomasso helm the estate. Their philosophy is simple. As Federico puts it succinctly, “we respect the laws of nature.”
I’ve written extensively about Bibbiano’s delicious Gran Selezione. Today, we find that the Chianti Classico is just as wonderful.
The 2024 Bibbiano Chianti Classico (Castellina) – is a delicious, pure Sangiovese that is certified organic. Don’t let the medium ruby color fool you. This wine has body that belies a Classico. Elegant aromas of crushed cherry, foresty herbs and cured meats are interesting. In the mouth this is marked by a little ripeness from the hot 2024 vintage, but serve it a bit on the cool side. Rosemary, crushed berry and salume are interesting. Good value. 90 points. Find this wine.
~ The Bibbiano is 100% Sangiovese ~
Fontodi is a master of Sangiovese. The certified organic estate located in Panzano in Chianti has been crafting amazing wines under the direction of Giovanni Manneti for decades. The 2022 was included in Part 1 of this coverage.
2021 Fontodi Chianti Classico (Panzano) – This is outstanding in every way. At this point, there is little to add or wax poetic. The praise is warranted. The price is warranted. I can think of no better Chianti Classico in the market today. High quality, complex and consistently reliable. Deep ruby, almost garnet – this displays a texture that is wild berries in velvet. Dark cocoa, pipe tobacco and toasted spices in the mouth and on the nose. Is it better than the 2022? Yes! This is the Michael Jordan of Chianti Classico and the gap is huge. 96 points. Find this wine. This link shows a magnum for $99. I’d be all over it.
~ A wine worth stocking up on ~
Historical documents place the origins of Castello La Leccia in the year 1077. At that time, the rights of the Castello were divided between 16 noble families. This remained the case until the 1400s when the Ricasoli family took over the Castello completely. This remained the case until arduous times consumed the castle in the 1500s.
In fact, during the bloody wars between Siena and Firenze, Andrea Ricasoli penned many sorrowful letters… “Tonight perhaps fifty Sienese soldiers came to my dwelling in Chianti called la Leccia, where…..they burnt all that was in the place….and 200 barrels of wine in the cellars were all spilled….”
Today, since 2018, the Castello, hamlet and grounds are owned by a Swiss family who have returned the property to its glory. In addition to an excellent wine craft, the wall enclosed hamlet includes an Agriturismo, a kilometer zero restaurant and many other amenities.
The 2022 Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico (Castellina) is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic. I have to say, these are wines I’ve never tried before and it won’t be the last time I enjoy them. Beautiful ruby in the glass that leads to absolutely gorgeous, fresh aromas of red flowers, lavender, savory herbs, loads of berry and toasted nuts on the nose. On the palate, the wine is juicy and balanced. Loads of sapid red fruits coat the palate with herbs, stones and a fresh, long fennel finish. Beautiful stuff. 92 points. Very little imported. Available here.
~ I was not familiar with this Estate, but they are impressive ~
At Castello La Leccia, every aspect of the winemaking is done by hand. The grapes are hand harvested, and hand selected at least two times.
~ Harvesting in 2025 at Castello La Leccia ~
The 2021 Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico Riserva (Castellina) is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic. This is a deep ruby with a slight fade to sienna at the rim. The key word here is polished. This is just as complex as the Classico, but its rounder, smoother, longer and well polished. Elegant and so smooth – there is nary a rough edge here at all. It’s impressive winemaking. Look above for the flavor takeaways, but it’s the mouthfeel here that drives the party. 95 points. Available at the winery through the link above.
~ This is a gorgeous Riserva ~
Vignamaggio may not be the first name that rolls off your tongue when thinking about storied Chianti Classico producers. But make no mistake, Vignamaggio is an icon.
The first evidence of wine production at what was to become Vignamaggio was in the year 1404. Today, the Estate spans over 400 hectares in the municipalities of Greve and Panzano. From that total, 65 hectares of vineyards are carved out.
In this Feature Article, I reviewed the Riserva and Gran Selezione as part of the Interview I did with the Vineyard Manager. Today, I’m looking at the Classico.
The 2021 Vignamaggio Chianti Classico “Terre di Prenzano” (Panzano) – is an excellent Sangiovese. Deep ruby in the glass, this 100% organic Sangiovese is replete with classic character. On the nose, it features sweet herbs, toasted pipe tobacco and loads of wild berries. In the mouth, this is brambly, juicy and fresh with baking spices and sweet herbs framing the fruit in an elegant manner. This is a great value. 91 points. Find this wine.
~ Vignamaggio is really on its game and this Classico from vineyards sourced from Panzano is excellent ~
“You need deep roots for a majestic tree…..”
And deep roots they have!
The philosophy of the Selvolini family has been just that since their arrival in Volpaia during the 1700s. During those times, the family provided most of the services to the small hamlet; including running a shop called “L’appalto” – an all purpose shop. Today, the Selvolini family is the only remaining, original family in Volpaia.
~ Lisa Selvolini in her shop in Volpaia ~
The winemaking today is run by 32 year old Alessandro Selvolini. He and the team manage the family’s 10 hectares of vineyards that are all within the Radda commune.
The 2001 Selvolini Chianti Classico Riserva (Radda) is a deep garnet color; likely the result of a small percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend. The wine is aged for 2 years in French barrique and then rests in bottle until release. On the nose, there is ample crushed cherry backed by toasted spices, turned earth and fresh mushroom. On the palate, the texture and ripeness of the fruit belie this wine from Radda. I typically find Radda wines to be more minerally, more austere with higher toned acidity. This wine could fool someone into thinking Castelnuovo. Black cherry, tobacco leaf, powdered espresso and fresh herbs are very nicely done. This is rather delicious. 92 points. Limited importation.
~ This Riserva is outstanding and might be a bit atypical of the Radda terroir ~
Castello di Bossi has invested heavily in Castelnuovo. They proudly profess to have achieved the perfect union between innovation and tradition. The winery consists of six large separate work areas, each with individualized temperature controls, and an overall aggregate area of 3,500 square meters. Despite that size, the majority sits below ground and is practically invisible. Recently the owners completed the installation of new temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. The future is bright.
The 2022 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo) is a classically styled Sangiovese. Medium ruby in color with a slight fade at the rim of the bowl. This organic classico hails from one of the largest producers in Castelnuovo. On the nose, the wine is fresh with crushed berry, new suede and hints of red flowers. Charming. In the mouth, the berry fruit is spicy, with noticeable fresh acidity. More high toned than typical for CB but I like it. Balanced, mouthwatering, maybe a little simple compared to some – but the heat of the 2022 vintage was managed well. 89 points and still a good value under $18. Find this wine.
~ This is a solid Classico is a more traditional style ~
While the Riecine Chianti Classico was a bit of a let down in my previous article, the same isn’t true for this dynamite Gran Selezione.
The 2022 Riecine Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Gittori (Gaiole) – is a blockbuster of a Sangiovese. In the glass this is a deep violet with ruby reflections. Vigna Gittori is approximately 2 1/2 hectares and is approaching 50 years of age. For 20 years it was leased by Riecine until it was purchased in 2019. Carlo Ferrini is the Enologist.
This is spectacular. It’s massive. The nose is primary with black cherry and leather but in the mouth, this cascades with layers of flavors. Black cherry, crushed plum, rosemary, turned clay and tobacco are utterly amazing. Serve it a bit on the cooler side because at 15% you can sense the heat of the vintage as it warms. A dynamite effort – the only drawback is the price which approaches 3 figures. 95 points. Find this wine.
~ This is a massive Sangiovese ~
That will wrap up this installment. We covered wines from another 3 vintages and 5 different Commune. By and large, 2021 has truly shaken out to be an amazing vintage. Let’s see now if the 2021 Brunello do their part.
There will be a third installment of this Feature coming soon. So, stay current!
Salute!
