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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
Declaring it “the single greatest young vintage I have ever tasted in Chianti Classico,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls 2021 “a vintage to buy deep,” this treasure trove of top scoring entry level Chianti Classico wines a terrific opportunity for Sangiovese fans to stock the cellar at a bargain price.
Starting off with a mild, wet winter, the optimal 2021 growing season in Chianti Classico had sufficient rainfall reserves to allow the vines to thrive in the hot and dry summer, and with well-timed periods of rain in late August, the picture-perfect vintage yielded lower quantities of high quality, concentrated grapes expressing pure Sangiovese character with vibrant acidity.
- Earning a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023, the fresh and refined 91 pt. 2021 Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia is a harmonious blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon that’s “immediately appealing for its lush fruit” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson.
- Produced from the estate’s 95 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards, the lush 93 pt. 2021 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga boasts earthy dark fruit and vibrant acidity, the renowned estate's top scoring entry level Chianti that “readers should consider buying by the case,” according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni.
- Described as “one of Italy’s ultimate value wines” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, the sleek and refined 90 pt. 2021 Dievole Chianti Classico offers fragrant spiced fruit aged in large untoasted French casks, sourced from Dievole’s 100 hectares of organically certified Sangiovese vineyards in Castelnuovo Berardenga.
- Described by Antonio Galloni of Vinous as showing “gorgeous depth," the robust 93 pt. 2021 Fonterutoli Chianti Classico comes from the renowned Mazzei family’s Castellina in Chianti winery, described as “more powerful and concentrated than your standard entry-level Chianti Classico” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner “for those who appreciate more meat on those Sangiovese bones.”
- A blend of 85% Sangiovese with 15% Merlot aged in used French oak barriques, the opulent 93 pt. 2021 Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico is a full-bodied, “structured red” according to James Suckling revealing fragrant, plush fruit layered with smooth, silky tannins promising to evolve over the next decade and beyond.
Describing the 2021 Chianti Classico wines as offering “wonderful concentration, impeccable freshness, and outstanding structure,” Jeb Dunnuck critic Audrey Frick highly recommends Chianti Classico lovers “snap up the entry level wines from this vintage,” this value packed offer a terrific opportunity to enjoy some seriously delicious Sangiovese wines from a stellar vintage at an unbeatable price. |
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This powerful red is dense yet fleshy, evoking cherry, tobacco, iron, earth and wild herb notes. Balanced and fresh, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, savory Mediterranean herbs and mineral notes. Best from 2026 through 2041. 5,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.
93 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jun 2024)
Notes of raspberries and cherries with red licorice, dried orange peel and spices. Medium- to full-bodied with meaty structure. Tannins are wide and velvety with a juicy, red-fruited mid-palate. Fresh and crunchy at the end. Drink or hold.
93 points, James Suckling (Aug 2023)
From a vintage that delivered great results across the region, the 2021 Chianti Classico Fonterutoli is a bit darker, more powerful and concentrated than your standard entry-level Chianti Classico. Cherry and dark plum cede to pretty mineral tones. That extra intensity is part of the house style and is a little gift for those who appreciate more meat on those Sangiovese bones. In fact, that grape is blended with a small 10% part of Malvasia Nera and Colorino in this ample 290,000-bottle release hitting the market now.
92 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Sep 2023)
The 2021 Chianti Classico Fonterutoli is redolent of dark cherry, plum, leather, licorice, menthol, dried herbs, incense and sage. Pliant and expressive, with gorgeous depth, the 2021 is a fine edition of the straight Chianti Classico.
91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2023)