Am a lurker here - this is my first post!
Couldn’t resist joining in as Chiantis are one of my favourite wines.
As others have somewhat covered or suggested, Chianti and its regulations have led to producers coming out with a range of Sangiovese-based wines, be it CC, CCR, IGT etc at different quality and price points.
Eg. Castello Brolio/Ricasoli’s flagship bottling, Castello di Brolio, is classified a CC, but is more expensive than many CCRs out there, including some of their own. Then there are producers like Isole e Olena, who have a CC and an IGT, but no CCR. My point is that different producers have their own preferred line-ups of wines.
Then there are the regions of Classico, Rufina, Senesi, Fiorentini and nearby, Morellino di Scansano, Carmignano etc. as well as stylistic differences due to vineyard location, addition of foreign varietals (Cab, Merlot, Syrah) vs traditional blending partners (Colorino, Malvasia Nera etc.).
My favourite Chianti Classicos, so far:
Fontodi - Great value and solid age-worthy wine with everything you want in a Chianti - SOur cherries, bracing acidity and solid structure. Their Cabernet-blended CCR is also fantastic, albeit a bit un-Tuscan, but I’d prefer the CC for value.
Isole e Olena - A reliable and accessible option that is well-priced to boot. My only complaint is that I feel even the 5% of Syrah (some vintages) tends to show itself.
Castello di Volpaia - This is quite a different style of Chianti to the rest - very perfumed and elegant.
Castello di Ama - To me this is the Rolls-Royce of CCs - super dense fruit and structure, at a premium price. If I were to convert Bdx lovers to CCs I would let them try this. Again, needs time but still very satisfying when young.
Melini’s CCR ‘La Selvanella’ - A single vineyard CCR from a big producer, this has charm in spades. I had a 2003 recently that was pretty sublime. Back label says ‘can keep for more than 15 years’.
FWIW Castello Monsanto have three Chianti bottlings: A Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva and a single vineyard Riserva, the famous Il Poggio. I’m not familiar with the US scene, but most places just bring in the Il Poggio.
In that way, they are similar to Felsina (CC, CCR, Rancia CCR).
Technically, Monsanto’s CCR with 18 months aging in barrel, while CC only 12 months. I believe grapes, vineyard-sources and composition of varietals, are the same.
I’ve always gone by the “Three F’s” rule - Fondodi (hardly a bargain though), Felsina and Fonterutoli - and consider Felsina’s “Rancia” to be the single finest Chianti Classico made - especially with 10-12 years in the bottle -
But to me - the greatest bargain in Chianti is the - Fattoria Di Basciano Chianti Rufina -
Consistent every year, and usually can be found in the $10 range -
I used to seek these out but after some bad experiences with Felisna and Monsanto I prefer the Calfornia version Caparone Sangiovese.
I did like Valdicava RDM which is somewhat related to CC but a bit higher in price and worth it.
Love Cellole, from San Fabiano Calcinaia. Big wine but balanced. Great agriturismo vineyard as well. I also favor Castellare, Collelungo, and Paneretta.
While not a Chianti Classico, the already mentioned Selvapiana Bucheriale Chianti Rufina hangs with the best of them and the 2009 which Tanzer rated a 95 and the winemaker has stated is the best Bucheriale he has ever made has been released and you can find it for about $30.
