The best of Chianti Classico Collection 2017
The Chianti Classico Collection 2017 that celebrated its 24th edition at the Anteprime Toscane in mid-February is becoming increasingly international. The event organised by the Consortium was the Italian debut of the exclusive Wine Origins club, which 20 of the most prestigious wine regions in the world belong to, including Chianti Classico DOCG.
The preview took place at the Leopolda in Florence and was dedicated to the wines of the oldest designation in the world, which celebrated 300 years last September. The protagonists were the vintages from 2016 to the first vintages of the Gran Selezione.
Chianti Classico Collection: 2015, an excellent vintage and new projects
185 wineries took part, with a total of 676 wines and 9 thousand bottles. The much-awaited 2015 vintage recorded a production of 290 thousand hectolitres. It was an excellent vintage. Good news also on the sales front; “We are very satisfied with the success of our wines on international markets and also with the renewed interest from the domestic market,” commented Sergio Zingarelli, president of the Consortium. “This result rewards the long work to relaunch the designation that culminated in the introduction of the Gran Selezione in 2014. Today we are facing other great challenges: the setting up of the rural district of Chianti and the UNESCO nomination are just two examples of great valorisation projects in our territory that we are working on.”
Chianti Classico takes part in Wine Origin
In 2005 the transnational movement Wine Origin was set up to protect designations of excellence and to guide the consumer who faces a constantly expanding supply of wines. Chianti Classico, the only Italian wine district to take part in the project, joined in 2007.
From Chianti to Champagne, from Jerez to Oregon
It was presented by the general manager of the Chianti Classico Consortium, Giuseppe Liberatore, as well as the presidents of the Comité du Vins de Champagne, Jean-Marie Barillère and Maxime Tourbart, César Saldaña, general manager of Consejo Regulador Vinos de Jerez, Harry Perterson-Nedry, founder of the designation Willamette Valley Association (Oregon), and Bill Nesto, MW, professor at Boston University and author of a recent and very interesting volume entitled Chianti Classico: The Search for Tuscany’s Noblest Wine.
Exports in China ride the year of the Fire Rooster
Among other recent ventures undertaken by the Consortium, there is the collaboration between Chianti Classico and Champagne to develop common projects and promotion on the Chinese market by registering the Gallo Nero trademark in Chinese ideograms, making the most of the fact that in 2017 China is celebrating the year of the “Fire Rooster”.
Tasting notes: 7 Chianti Classico, Riserva and Gran Selezione wines to taste
Podere Poggio Scalette – Chianti Classico DOCG 2015
Winegrowing area: Greve in Chianti
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Price: €15
Score: 90
Technical notes: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in concrete vats, ageing in concrete for 10 months and bottle maturation for a minimum of 3 months
Description: Ruby red, notes of red fruit, cherry, raspberry, fresh and easy to drink
In a nutshell: The elegance of Vittorio Fiore wines
Marchesi Antinori – Marchese Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2014
Winegrowing area: San Casciano Val di Pesa
Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot
Price: €26
Score: 89
Technical notes: fermentation in steel, then malolactic in French oak barriques, followed by ageing in small casks for about 12 months. The process concludes with a further 12 months of bottle maturation
Description: Intense ruby, with a fruity and floral aroma, well complemented by spicy and toasty notes. It is soft and balanced on the palate, the toasty and fruity notes close in an aromatic and lingering finish
In a nutshell: A Chianti in the winery’s old tradition
Fontodi – Vigna del Sorbo, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013
Winegrowing area: Panzano
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Price: €45
Score: 91
Technical notes: Fermentation in steel under temperature control on native yeasts for 21 days, ageing in Tronçais and Allier barriques (50% new) for 24 months
Description: Bright ruby-red, notes of ripe red fruit, hints of cocoa and chocolate, integrated tannins, a velvety and pleasant wine
In a nutshell: One of the winery’s top wines
Castello di Ama – San Lorenzo, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013
Winegrowing area: Gaiole in Chianti
Grapes: 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera
Price: €36
Score: 90
Technical notes: Fermentation in steel, followed by malolactic fermentation in barriques; then the blending is done, followed by ageing in 20% new and 80% second-fill oak barriques for a total of 12 months
Description: Ruby red with a purplish edge, fruity and spicy aromas with hints of tertiary notes (tobacco, tanned leather and treated leather); it is rich, round, velvety and lingering in the mouth
In a nutshell: A traditional wine from Ama
Castello di Querceto – Il Picchio, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013
Winegrowing area: Greve in Chianti
Grapes: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and Colorino
Price: €25
Score: 90
Technical notes: Fermentation in steel and maceration for about 20 days. Ageing in Allier, Tronçais and Limousine oak barriques for at least 12 months and bottle maturation for a further 6 months
Description: Intense, bright ruby red, delicate, elegant, well-orchestrated, with remarkable body and a strong character
In a nutshell: The most forthright expression of Chianti Classico by Querceto
Marchesi Mazzei – Castello Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013
Winegrowing area: Castellina in Chianti
Grapes: 92% Sangiovese, 4% Colorino, 4% Malvasia Nera
Price: €40
Score: 90
Technical notes: Fermentation under temperature control for 15-18 days, followed by ageing in French oak barriques for 20 months
Description: an intense ruby-red colour with a purplish edge, great structure, complex floral bouquet, very rich and lingering
In a nutshell: The result of 40 years of research
Agricola San Felice – Poggio Rosso, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013
Winegrowing area: Castelnuovo Berardenga
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Price: €36
Score: 89
Technical notes: Fermentation with skin contact for 20-25 days in steel at a temperature of 28 -30 °C, followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in 500-litre French oak barrels for 20 months and bottle maturation for 15 months
Description: An intense ruby-red colour, notes of ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, hints of spice; soft tannins add elegance, it is warm and lingering on the palate
In a nutshell: The jewel of San Felice
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