After attending the Chianti Classico: Digging into the Region’s UGA Masterclass, there was a walk around tasting from the wineries from the masterclass plus other wineries in the region; 26 wineries in total, each pouring three wines, so 78 different Chianti Classico wines to try from the foundation, Annata, wines, to Riserva middle tier, and the top tier, Gran Selezione. Here are my ten favourite Chianti Classico wines from this tasting.
I put a “#” beside any winery that has an agent in BC. Those wines should either be available at a BC Liquor store, a private wine shop, or at select restaurants.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Arillo in Terrabianca Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrabianca 2019 # – 100% Sangiovese (UGA Radda). Nice aromas of candied cherries and light oak. Medium body. Bright tart red fruits and red cherries along with a touch of oak. Higher acidity and light tannins. Medium-plus length with a puckering finish. Oak and candied cherries on the finish. 
Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori 2022 # – Sangiovese and complementary grape varieties. Fresh red cherries and oak nose. Tart cherries, candied cherries, some oak and pepperiness on the palate. It is dry with a medium body. Medium-plus length.
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva 2017 # – 100% Sangiovese. It has a light red cherry nose with more on the palate. Fresh fruit flavours. Also has raspberry and a hint of sweet spices on the palate. Dry medium body. Medium acidity. Firm tannic finish.
Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Misciano 2020 # – 100% Sangiovese. This wine has a light red fruit nose. Fuller body with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Ripe red cherry flavours. Light tannins and medium acidity.
Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 # – 100% Sangiovese (UGA Vagliagli). Medium garnet with bricking in the glass. Medium intensity aromas of red fruit, dried red fruit and a hint of leather. It is dry, a medium-plus body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Old World oak, red apples and red fruit flavours along with light spice. Medium acidity and tannins. An excellent wine.
Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2022 # – 90% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia Nera, 5% Colorino. Light red fruit and Old World oak nose. Dry, medium-plus body with a smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Red cherries and oak on the palate. A dry finish.
Famiglia Cecchi Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Cerna 2022 # – 95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino. A light, flinty cherry nose. Light body with a smooth, lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity and tannins. Red fruit and pine needles on the palate, plus a touch of pepperiness.
Quericia al Poggio Chianti Classico 2021 # – Light red fruit and toast on the nose. Dry, medium-plus body with a smooth mouthfeel. Deeper flavours of red fruit and toast. Medium acidity. Red fruit, along with a mix of bitterness and puckering on the finish.
Quericia al Poggio Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 # – A smoky, earthy, red fruit nose. Dry, medium body with a lean mouthfeel. Red fruits and red cherry flavours. Medium-plus length with a very tart finish.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Romitorio di Santedame 2020 # – 90% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino (UGA Castellina). This wine has a deep garnet colour. Expressive, deep aromas of coconut and Amarone with more on the palate. Medium body with a soft smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity and tannins. Medium-plus length.
I have some additional wines that did not quite make the rating, but were also of very good quality. These wines will be provided to subscribers to mywinepal’s weekly newsletter.
Thank you to the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver and Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico for the invitation to attend this tasting.
