by Luigi Salvo
The 33rd edition of the Chianti Classico Collection was held on February 16 and 17 at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, which hosted 223 wineries with 680 labels from the denomination to present the new vintages to the trade press. The theme of the 2026 edition is “Wine is Culture,” a slogan that, for Chianti Classico, has deep and documented roots since 1716 when with the proclamation of Cosimo III dei Medici the first wine territory in the world was demarcated.
The wine of the Chianti Classico is the result of a complex system made of history, landscape, rural architecture, knowledge handed down, belonging that becomes sharing and welcoming, hence culture.
The 2024 vintage is the one debuting in the glasses, from the climatic point of view it had a winter with regular rainfall and temperatures in the average generating a slight advance in the budding of the vine, copious spring rains did not generate particular problems, the territory faced without difficulty the high temperatures of the summer period.
The ripening cycle was prolonged thanks to the late August and early September rains along with a significant drop in temperatures with marked daily temperature swings, with perfect phenolic ripening of the grapes characterized by a marked acidity and a non-high sugar level that resulted in lower gradations in the 2024 wines.
The tasting of all the 2024 wines was very interesting, fresh, drinkable, great fruit and excellent.
For the 2023 Reserves and the 2023 Grand Selection numerous distinctions, wines with great expressiveness and others with green and tannic notes.
The 10 best tastings 2024
Casa Emma
Thick nose and mouth, with red fruit and spice, taut vivid long sip. 90
Castellare di Castellina Castellare
Nose of Viole, raspberry, cherry, rosemary, Ginepro, elegant mouthfeel, immediate. 90
Castello di Querceto
Full and fresh nose, fruity cherry and blueberry, mint, taut, balanced and long sip. 91
Castello di Volpaia Volpaia
Grand floral, fresh fruitiness, solid and multifaceted on the palate, long. 90
Le Filigare Filigare
Rich aroma of fruit and spice, beautiful vegetal notes, same-register sip, long on fruit. 91
Ormanni
Intriguing well-expressed nose, blueberries and chocolate, full mouth between warmth and gentle acid and tannic backbone.92
Ricasoli Brolio
Full of Viole violets, raspberries, herbs, taut and full, multifaceted and long sip 91
Tolaini
Composed and elegant nose, rich mouthfeel between warmth, fresh fruit, vegetal sensations in length. 92
Carpineta Foltalpino Fontalpino
Nose of wild strawberry, currant, citrus, rosemary and black pepper, mouthfeel of beautiful freshness, savory and long. 91
Cigliano di Sopra
Intense nose of blueberry Viole, variegated spices, high-profile mouth full and long. 93
The 10 Best Tastes Reserve 2023
Brancaia
Nose with good fruit ripeness, gianduiotto and balsamicity, mouth tense and tannic. 90
Castello di Albola
Intense and full nose, floral of Rose, blueberries, sage, pepper, sip of the same long register. 92
Castello di Meleto
Arranges on fresh floral and fruity tones, spicy touches, convincing full mouth, long and savory.92
Castello di Volpaia
A rich, floral wine with Lavanda and violets, jammy plums and strawberries, roasted olives and mint, crisp, full and long fruit sip. 94
Grace Mill
Floral and fruity nose, blueberries, blackberries, lily of the valley, licorice, taut palate and rightly tannic. 91
Il Poggiolino La Riserva
Olfactory framework of wild strawberry, currant, citrus, rosemary and black pepper, mouthfeel of beautiful freshness, savory and long. 90
Ricasoli Brolio
Classic of violets, raspberries, black cherries and herbs, taut, full-bodied sip with sweet spices on the long finish. 90
Riecine
Particular nose and mouth of vivid red fruit and oriental spices, unravels in the mouth long slightly tannic.90
Arceno Estate
Composed and elegant nose, good balance of warmth, fresh fruit, spice and woody notes in the mouth. 90
Tolaini Vallenuova
Excellent performance, floral , fruity, spicy, mouthfeel of volume and thickness fresh tannic. 91
The 10 best Grand Selection 2023 tastings
Antinori – Badia a Passignano
Precious nose of sour cherries, blackberries, mint, black pepper and licorice, caressingly balanced and long sip. 92
Castello di Querceto / La Corte
Nose of elegance of Rose and Viole, raspberries, plums, black pepper and tobacco, fresh taste with pleasant tannin. 92
Cigliano di Sopra
Perfect blend of floral Viole, fruity raspberry and Ginepro, fresh mouthfeel, slowly slipping away fruity-spicy. 90
Fèlsina / Rancia
Elegant and attractive bouquet that ranges from floral to fruity with citrus perceptions, elegant drink of excellent workmanship in the olfactory recalls, “juicy” and with calibrated tannin. 92
Grace’s Mill / The Margone
Full of black cherries, mace, mint and tobacco, palate already enveloping between warmth and freshness. 91
Maurizio Alongi- Vigna Barbischio
Complex bouquet, Viole, blueberry, black pepper, tobacco, balsamic notes, surprisingly progressive mouthfeel of fruit, spice and long menthol references. 93
Poggio al Sole Casilina
Pleases for elegance and complexity, tonic sip, good balance between tannin, structure and acidity, excellent fruity and spicy length. 91
Ricasoli Castello di Brolio
Fan with floral Viole, black cherry, menthol, blond tobacco, and Mediterranean scrub, rich and lively mouthfeel, with precise and long texture. 93
Tenuta di Arceno / Strada al Sasso
Nose with great spicy fruit, rosemary, mint, citrus, tobacco, mouth more decisive and lively, with great elegance and persistence. 92
Villa a Sesta Sorleone
Sharp black cherry, currant, rosemary, herbs and black pepper, mouthfeel of nice vegetal freshness, savory and long. 91
